Native Texan here...couple decades ago, our Tx legislators pulled the same shit, going to Okla City hotel to "hide out"...they were found and returned to Texas, tails tucked...i wonder if fleeing to DC is considered leaving the USA??
With all due respect from one native to another, they were not found and returned tails tucked.
In May 2003, during the fight over a mid-census redistricting plan, 50+ D House members holed up in a Holiday Inn in Ardmore, OK to break quorum and returned to the House after time had expired for consideration of the bill.
During the 1st called session, D Senators invoked the 2/3 rule which prevented a vote from happening in the Senate. During the 2nd called session, the 2/3 rule did not apply and 11 D Senators fled for Albuquerque, NM. After about 6ish weeks John Whitmire broke ranks and returned to Austin to try to negotiate with Senate Rs. The rest of the group returned with him because +1 was all that was needed for quorum. They forced "Quitmire" to walk onto the floor alone. He was greeting with handshakes and cheers by the Rs, the chamber was called to order, a motion was made to adjourn, seconded, and that ended 2nd called session. It took about 4 minutes gavel to gavel. Redistricting passed during the 3rd called session.
Rick Perry did seek permission from Gov's of OK and NM to send in Rangers to make the arrests, but he was denied.
There was an arrest following the 1979 Killer B's quorum break. The Senators in question hid in the converted garage apartment of one of their chiefs of staff. As the story goes, Gene Jones' claustrophobia kicked in and he left for his home in Houston. Rangers showed up and the man who answered the door looked like the photo they had. They asked "Are you Jones?" He said yes and they arrested him and brought him to Austin. When presented to LtGov Hobby, it turned out to be Senator Jones' brother. Gene had jumped the backyard fence while Rangers were detaining his brother.
Native Texan here...couple decades ago, our Tx legislators pulled the same shit, going to Okla City hotel to "hide out"...they were found and returned to Texas, tails tucked...i wonder if fleeing to DC is considered leaving the USA??
Tx law calls for legislative fugitives be arrested by state police and sent back to Texas. That's why they chose DC this time
With all due respect from one native to another, they were not found and returned tails tucked.
In May 2003, during the fight over a mid-census redistricting plan, 50+ D House members holed up in a Holiday Inn in Ardmore, OK to break quorum and returned to the House after time had expired for consideration of the bill.
During the 1st called session, D Senators invoked the 2/3 rule which prevented a vote from happening in the Senate. During the 2nd called session, the 2/3 rule did not apply and 11 D Senators fled for Albuquerque, NM. After about 6ish weeks John Whitmire broke ranks and returned to Austin to try to negotiate with Senate Rs. The rest of the group returned with him because +1 was all that was needed for quorum. They forced "Quitmire" to walk onto the floor alone. He was greeting with handshakes and cheers by the Rs, the chamber was called to order, a motion was made to adjourn, seconded, and that ended 2nd called session. It took about 4 minutes gavel to gavel. Redistricting passed during the 3rd called session.
Rick Perry did seek permission from Gov's of OK and NM to send in Rangers to make the arrests, but he was denied.
There was an arrest following the 1979 Killer B's quorum break. The Senators in question hid in the converted garage apartment of one of their chiefs of staff. As the story goes, Gene Jones' claustrophobia kicked in and he left for his home in Houston. Rangers showed up and the man who answered the door looked like the photo they had. They asked "Are you Jones?" He said yes and they arrested him and brought him to Austin. When presented to LtGov Hobby, it turned out to be Senator Jones' brother. Gene had jumped the backyard fence while Rangers were detaining his brother.