Texas House Republicans Finally Pass Election Integrity Bill After Being Stonewalled By Fugitive Dems For Over a Month

Texas House Republicans finally were able to pass an election integrity bill after being stonewalled by fugitive Democrats for over a month.

In a largely party line vote, the bill was advanced 79-37 with one Republican, state Rep. Lyle Larson, voting no.

The legislation still requires a final vote in the House today as it is being fast tracked during the special session to go to the Senate.

The passage was not without further fireworks, however, as House Speaker Dade Phelan told members that he would appreciate them not using the word “racism” during debate, a request that was ignored by at least one Democrat.

Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who was one of the fugitive Dems, asked on the floor, “Intentional discrimination against people of a certain race, is that racism?”

Phelan reprimanded her, “Ms. Hinojosa, we can talk about racial impacts of this legislation without accusing members of this body of being racist.”

Hinojosa objected to his categorization and denied that she was accusing anyone, as some scattered applause broke out.

Phelan then told those applauding, “Members, outbursts are inappropriate.”

TX State Rep. Hinojosa (D) on restrictive voting bill: “Intentional discrimination against people of a certain race, is that racism?”

Texas House Speaker Phelan (R): “We can talk about racial impacts of this legislation without accusing members of this body of being racist.” pic.twitter.com/C2xxhgMsJY

— The Recount (@therecount) August 27, 2021

Previously, we reported:

Texas Republicans got the last laugh today after the Texas Supreme Court reversed a decision by a liberal judge in a lower court to block them from being able to arrest or detain lawmakers who refusing to show up to vote.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s spokeswoman Renae Eze said of the decision, “The Supreme Court of Texas swiftly rejected this dangerous attempt by Texas Democrats to undermine our Constitution and avoid doing the job they were elected to do.”

Dem State Rep James Talarico tweeted out a smiling picture of himself yesterday and declared, “I’m home!”

“Our quorum break shined a national spotlight on the TX voter suppression bill and pushed Congress closer to passing a federal voting rights act to override it. I’m confident they will,” Talarico insisted.

Talarico then took a shot at the governor and added, “Now I’m back to clean up Greg Abbott’s latest messes from COVID to ERCOT.”

Libertarian-Republican radio host Kenny Webster quote tweeted Talarico and noted, “This dork is laughing in the faces of @GregAbbott_TX & @DadePhelan and he’s getting away with it.”

Webster then asked, “Are Texas Republican leaders gonna do something or not?”