TX. Gov. Abbott says Democrats who fled the state will be arrested under a mechanism known as the call of the House, which is a tool that allows law enforcement to track down lawmakers who have fled the chamber.
Once arrested, they will be cabined inside the TX Capitol until they get the job done.
Two-thirds of the 150-member House must be present for the chamber to conduct business. And according to House rules, which were adopted unanimously by members at the beginning of the regular legislative session in January, any member can move to make a call of the House “to secure and maintain a quorum” for legislation. That motion must be seconded by 15 members, one of which can be the speaker, and ordered by a majority vote. The move also allows the speaker to lock the chamber doors to prevent members from leaving the chamber.
According to House rules, until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the attendance of absent members or to adjourn.
The call of the house was approved 76-4. Following the vote, the doors were locked to keep people from coming and going.
State troopers will be appointed to track them down and arrest them when they return.
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/12/texas-republicans-elections-bill-democrats-flee/
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/13/texas-democrats-walkout-voting-bill-arrest/
This isn't the first time Democrats were arrested in relation to election integrity laws.
GA Democrat Rep. Park Cannon was arrested for trying to interfere with the signing of the bill. She was charged with obstruction of law enforcement and disruption of the general assembly.
Why would Democrats oppose a bill that makes elections safer and more secure? I'll tell you why, so they can cheat. They can't cheat if elections are safe and secure. They can't cheat if voter ID is used. They can't win unless they cheat.
NCSWIC folks. These people will be and must be held accountable.
TIL in the US the elected officials are so self-obsessed and unconcerned with doing their jobs, the speaker can lock the chamber doors to prevent members from leaving the chamber.