Outgunned, Texas Democrats Vamoose
AUSTIN, Texas — In an act of political subterfuge, at least 53 Democratic legislators packed their bags, disappeared from the Capitol and apparently scattered across the Southwest on Monday as Texas Rangers searched for them, bringing a divisive legislative session to an abrupt halt.
Under state law, Republicans -- who control the governor's mansion, the state Senate and the state House for the first time since the 19th century -- need 100 of 150 legislators on the floor of the House before they can conduct the people's business.
Now they don't have a quorum, and with Thursday the last day legislation can be sent to the Senate, the conservative agenda they've effectively waited 130 years to advance could die.
The Democrats' maneuver came, not coincidentally, as Republicans were preparing to redraw congressional districts, allowing the GOP to take as many as seven congressional seats away from Democrats in the next election cycle. Democrats currently hold a slim majority of the state's congressional seats, and the GOP plan could cement the Republican Party's hold on power in Washington.
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, a Republican, was not impressed by the walkout. "Get back to Austin and get back to work," he warned the Democrats.
As his compatriots whistled the Star Spangled Banner on the floor of the House, Craddick ordered the chamber's doors locked. Then, citing an obscure provision in the Texas Constitution allowing members of the House to demand a quorum of their peers, he asked the chamber's sergeant-at-arms to find the Democrats.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Tom Vinger confirmed Monday night that three of his department's law enforcement divisions, including the fabled Texas Rangers, were on the case.
The Democrats had vowed to stay in hiding until the Thursday deadline passed. But according to Associated Press, troopers were sent to a Holiday Inn in Ardmore, Okla., late Monday to tell 40-plus members gathered there to return to Austin.
It was unclear how Republicans learned of the Democrats' whereabouts. The rebel lawmakers were planning a news conference today.
At midnight, legislators in jeans and casual shirts milled about a conference room near the rear of the Oklahoma hotel lobby. Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine said the lawmakers, whose numbers he wouldn't release, arrived Sunday night. Asked how long they would stay, he said, "That remains to be seen."
