Harris meets with Texas Democrats after Republicans call on law enforcement to 'return' them 'to the chamber'


The Texas House walkout escalated dramatically on Tuesday, when state Republicans voted "overwhelmingly" to find, return and, if necessary, arrest absent Democrats, The Wall Street Journal and Texas Tribune report. Vice President Harris is meeting with the lawmakers taking refuge in the nation's capital, where they are lobbying with Congress to pass a federal bill that renders Texas' legislation moot.
"I think they have shown great courage, and certainly great conviction and commitment," said Harris of the lonestar Democrats.
On Monday, over 50 House Democrats fled to Washington, D.C. in an attempt to break quorum and block a vote on restrictive voting rights legislation. In response, House Republicans voted on Tuesday to allow "law enforcement to track down absentee lawmakers — arresting them if necessary and forcing them to return to the chamber," the Journal reports. However, the procedural move "carries little apparent weight," since "Texas law enforcement lacks jurisdiction" out of state, the Tribune adds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
All in all, it remains to be seen whether Democrats' ambitious gambit will pay off — Gov. Greg Abbott (R) could just call another special session to pass the contentious voting bill, or simply add it to the agenda when the House meets later this summer. It appears the "only long-term solution" is federal legislation, the Journal writes.
"We can't stay here indefinitely," said Rep. Rhetta Bowers (D-Texas). "Texas Democrats will use everything in our power to fight back. But we need Congress to act now."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Film reviews: The Phoenician Scheme, Bring Her Back, and Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Feature A despised mogul seeks a fresh triumph, orphaned siblings land with a nightmare foster mother, and a Jane fan finds herself in a love triangle
-
Music reviews: Tune-Yards and PinkPantheress
Feature "Better Dreaming" and "Fancy That"
-
Withdrawing 529 plan funds for college? Here's what to know.
the explainer Maximize the amount you have stashed away for your education
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X
-
Depleted FEMA struggling as hurricane season begins
speed read FEMA has lost a third of its workforce amid DOGE cuts enforced by President Donald Trump
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge
-
US trade court nullifies Trump's biggest tariffs
speed read The US Court of International Trade says Trump exceeded his authority in imposing global tariffs