Kamala meets the Texas Democrat 'fugitives': Harris gushes over the 'sacrifice' of runaways facing arrest for GOP vote sabotage as they live it up at $200-a-night DC hotel: State senate passes voting bill
Vice President Kamala Harris met with the Texas Democrat 'fugitives' on Tuesday and gushed over their sacrifice even as their state senate passed the controversial voting restrictions bill.
The Texas state Senate approved the sweeping election reform bill Tuesday on an 18-4 party-line vote after nine Senate Democrats joined 51 House Dems in fleeing to Washington DC.
The move wasn't enough to stop the Senate passing the legislation but the bill will now stall in the House due to the absence of a quorum.
On Tuesday, Harris made a pointed gesture of support Tuesday for the legislators who are on the lam after chartering private jets to the capitol to prevent enactment of new voting restrictions.
'I know what you have done comes with great sacrifice, both personal and political,' Harris told them, while she dropped in on a meeting the lawmakers were holding in D.C.
'Defending the right of the American people to vote is as American as apple pie, she said. She called their actions a 'courageous stand.'
The bill will end drive-thru and 24-hour polling places and ballot drop boxes, and give more power to poll watchers. Republicans say the measures will avoid voter fraud while Democrats say they disenfranchise minorities and the poor.
Harris' full-throated support comes even as the Texas House voting to arrest them when they return home.
Vice President Kamala Harris met Tuesday with Texas lawmakers who fled the state to avoid quorom in an effort to block a new voting restrictions
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hosts members of Texas State Senate and Texas House of Representatives, who in May blocked passage of legislation that would have made it significantly harder for the people of Texas to vote, at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 16
'I know what you have done comes with great sacrifice, both personal and political,' Harris told them, while she dropped in on a meeting the lawmakers were holding in D.C
Vice President Kamala Harris smiles as she arrives to meet with Democratic members of the Texas State Legislature at the American Federation of Teachers building near the Capitol.
Harris' full-throated support comes even as the Texas House voting to arrest them when they return home
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joined by Rep. Chris Turner, left, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, meets with Democratic members of the Texas Legislature who are trying to kill a Republican bill in Austin
U.S. Rep. Mayes Middleton (R-TX) (C) of the Texas Freedom Caucus addresses the media in the Texas Capitol on July 13, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The Texas Senate approved the sweeping election reform bill Tuesday on an 18-4 party-line vote after nine Senate Democrats joined 51 House Dems in fleeing to Washington DC.
Speaker of the Texas House U.S. Rep. Dade Phelan (R-TX) (C) listens to U.S. Rep. Will Metcalf (R-TX) (L) move to issue a call of the House to try to regain a quorum on July 13, 2021 in Austin, Texas. The Texas House voted to arrest Democrats who fled the state to deny a quorum in protest of Republicans' controversial voting bill
Speaker Dade Phelan tries to maintain order as the House attempts to get a quorum of members the day after most Democratic members left the state in protest of restrictive voting rights bills under consideration in the 87th Legislature. Less than the required 2/3 members showed up so the chamber cannot legally conduct business
Empty seats are seen in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democrats left the state to block sweeping new election laws
The room inside the American Federal of Teachers union building where she smiled and greeted the legislators didn't appear to have food or beverages – after the lawmakers were photographed with a 12-pack of beer on their plane, and one lawmaker took heat after tweeting out an image of his first meal since skipping town.
Harris linked their action to those who fought for racial equality and voting rights – at about the same time President Biden was ripping into Republicans for voting restrictions and ID laws he termed 'odious and vicious.'
She even compared it to the Voting Rights Act and women's suffrage movements.
'This is not an issue about Democrats or Republicans. This is about Americans and how Americans are experiencing this issue,' said Harris.
The group also met Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
'These folks are going to be remembered on the right side of history,' Schumer told reporters. 'The governor and the Republican legislators will be remembered on the dark and wrong side of history.'
'I do believe that fighting for the right to vote is as American as apple pie,' Harris said
She linked the state lawmakers to historical figures who fought for voting rights for minorities and women
The told the lawmakers she was 'here to thank you, and to have a conversation with you.'
'And with that, I will say, 'See you all later' to the press,' she said, wrapping up her remarks as reporters who trailed her for her speech were taken out of the room.
President Joe Biden, despite issuing his own fiery remarks about voting rights on Tuesday, did not respond while boarding and exiting Marine One when DailyMail.com shouted questions about whether he would meet with the lawmakers and whether he backed their move to break quorum.
Seated at a table with Harris at the event was state House caucus chair Rep. Chris Turner, as well as Emmy Ruiz, the director of political strategy and outreach for the White House, and Natalie Montelongo, the White House deputy director of the office. Both White House representatives grew up in Texas.
After linking the Texans to historical figures, Harris tried to connect them to ordinary Americans swept up in the fight over election laws in 2020.
'And I have in mind that person who is working two or three jobs and needs to have the ability to early vote. I'm thinking about that single parent who has his or her kids in the backseat and needs to be able to have a drive-through or a dropbox to vote. I'm thinking about the American with a disability who needs to have the option of voting by mail.'
Republicans in the Texas State House voted 76-4 on Tuesday to arrest the runaway Democrats who fled to Washington to break the quorum and block the passage of Governor Greg Abbott's voting rights bills.
'Members, a sergeant-at-arms and any officer appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest if necessary,' Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced from the State House floor.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (pictured) slams the gavel down on Tuesday after the remaining lawmakers – mostly Republican – voted 76-4 to arrest Democrat members who broke the quorum by fleeing to Washington D.C. on Monday
Texas House rules allow the sergeant-at-arms to arrest members who are not present at the Capitol for a vote – and the show of disapproval Tuesday could result in the lawmakers' arrest when they land back in the Lone Star State.
The Tuesday vote, however, doesn't hold much weight as long as the Democrats remain in Washington since by crossing state lines they have escaped jurisdiction of Texas law enforcement.
'If there are any House Sargent at Arms looking for me... I'm definitely in the Texas Capitol building, somewhere,' one Democratic state representative tweeted in taunting his colleagues back in Texas on Tuesday.
Gene Wu continued: 'Keep looking. Don't stop.'
Shortly after, he followed up with another tweet saying: 'Getting warmer…'
He also posted an image to Twitter of a caesar salad in a styrofoam take-out container and a can of Coke Zero after the Texas legislature voted to arrest the group.
'My fist (sic) meal as a fugitive. Delicious,' Wu wrote.
The few dozen state lawmakers maintain that they aren't afraid of Governor Abbott's threats to arrest them for fleeing the state to break a quorum and avoid voting on Republicans ' election legislation.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One about their meeting with Harris shortly before it occurred, but saying only that it would happen some time this week.
It is not immediately clear if President Joe Biden plans to meet with them, but Jean-Pierre said when asked if he supports their decision: 'He applauds their courage.'
During a press conference in front of the Capitol on Tuesday morning, the large group broke out into song with a Civil Rights-era gospel, and getting the words wrong in claiming 'we will overcome' after arriving in D.C. on a pair of jets that cost them $100,000 to charter.
'I'm not worried about the threat of being arrested,' Texas State Representative Jasmine Crockett told CNN the morning after arriving in D.C.
'I don't worry probably because I know the law,' she continued. 'I've not committed a crime, so I can't get arrested.'
Trey Martinez Fischer, a fellow Democratic member of the Texas State House, said Tuesday that the group of around 60 lawmakers plan to wait out the full 30-day legislative session in Washington D.C.
'This is the risk that we take to stand up for democracy,' Martinez Fisher told CNN when asked about the potential of Abbott sending law enforcement after them.
The group is staying at the Washington Plaza Hotel in Northwest D.C., where rooms start at $199 per night. The hotel features a luxury outdoor pool and lounge surrounded by privacy greenery and trees.
The lawmakers left their hotel on Tuesday morning in buses headed for the Capitol, where they held a quick press conference outside the building.
Martinez Fischer said they are working on setting up meetings on Capitol Hill after fleeing Texas on Monday and breaking quorum in order to block Republican-proposed voting rights laws from passing. He said nothing is set in stone yet.
A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to conduct legislative proceedings and assure they are valid. In the case of Texas, two-thirds of its House members are needed to reach a quorum, which is 100 people.
The large group of Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled their state on Monday to avoid voting on Republicans' election legislation held a press conference outside the Capitol on Tuesday morning. The lawmakers broke out in gospel song 'We Shall Overcome'
Texas Democrats exit the $200-a-night Washington Plaza hotel on Tuesday morning to board coach buses en route to the Capitol
The Washington Plaza is located in Northwest Washington, D.C. The cost of rooms on Tuesday night starts at $199
Texas state Rep. Jasmine Crockett said Tuesday she is not afraid of Governor Abbott's threat to arrest Democrats who fled the state to block Republicans' latest voting legislation
Fellow Texas State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer told CNN that the group of runaways are willing to stay in D.C. for the full 30-day legislative session and risk arrest to break the quorum. 'This is the risk that we take to stand up for democracy,' he said
The Texas State House adjourned on Tuesday morning. The present members are moving forward with deciding whether to arrest members who fled the state and broke quorum
The Texas House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans with a 83-67 majority. By 58 of the 67 Democrats fleeing the state, only a maximum of 92 can be present, meaning the minority was able to 'break the quorum.'
One Democrat, Gene Wu, taunted the Texas State House Sergeant at Arms after the legislature voted to have the official arrest the lawmakers who fled
He also posted an image of a caesar salad saying 'first meal as a fugitive'
Those remaining in the Texas State House, a vast majority Republicans, brought up consideration Tuesday on arresting their colleagues after two private jets – chartered by the state Democrats at a total cost of $100,000 – touched down in Washington D.C. from Austin on Monday carrying 58 lawmakers from Texas.
Meanwhile, Texas state senators are expected to move on with voting on the proposed election legislation on Tuesday.
Senator John Cornyn, who represents Texas, spoke on the floor of the upper chamber on Tuesday where he excoriated the Democratic state lawmakers for their hypocrisy in not wearing masks on the coach buses or airplanes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines still require that vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans wear masks in all public transportation modes including buses, trains and planes.
'They got on two charter jets maskless – with at least one case of lite beer – and hopped on the kets to come to Washington D.C.,' Cornyn said as he pulled out a poster board with a picture of one of the coach buses with a large yellow circle around a case of Miller Lite beer with an arrow further emphasizing it.
To permanently block the two voting bills, the Texas House Democrats would have to stay away through the end of the special legislative session, which can last as many as 30 days.
The session ends on August 7, meaning there are 26 days left.
Abbott, however, can call special session after special session until a quorum is reached. He signaled that he intends to do so.
Texas Senator John Cornyn brought a poster board to the floor of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as he excoriated Democrats for going on their coach buses and private jets 'maskless' despite CDC guidelines still requiring the face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, on all public transportation. He also pointed out that they brought Miller Lite on the trip
During the press conference outside the Capitol Tuesday morning the lawmakers said they are just 'buying time' with their stunt.
At one point, the group began belting out 'We Shall Overcome', a gospel song that became a protest anthem of the American civil rights movement. They got the lyrics wrong, however, and sang 'we will overcome' instead of 'shall.'
'Quit criminalizing elections,' Martinez Fisher demanded in his New Day interview the morning after arriving on a private jet in D.C. He claimed one of the main points Democrats are fighting in the GOP voting bill in Texas is allowing poll watchers because it's 'voter intimidation.'
'You'll be gone for a month, it sounds like,' CNN morning host Brianna Keilar said.
Martinez Fisher replied: 'If that's what it takes.'
The Texas lawmaker assured that the trip to the nation's capital was completely privately funded and did not rely on taxpayer dollars. Some also flew on commercial flights – like Crockett, who said she flew Southwest to get from Texas to Washington.
Local Democratic lawmakers from Texas wait outside their hotel in Washington for a bus to bring them to Capitol Hill as they prepare to meet with federal-level lawmakers about voting rights legislation
Hydrate: A member brings water onto the bus as Texas Democrats prepare to shuttle over to the Capitol on July 13, 2021
The Washington Plaza Hotel, where the lawmakers are staying, includes an outdoor pool surrounded by trees for privacy
The rooms start at around $200 per night – and Texas Democrats claim they are footing their bill from campaign accounts and fundraising efforts
He posted a video of himself from the tarmac on Monday asking for donations to his campaign to help fund the trip – including travel and accommodation costs.
'We're going to break quorum. I can't do this alone, I need your help. I don't know how long I'm going to be gone,' he said in a self-style video before asking for donations to his campaign.
The state lawmaker told CNN that the hotel costs Tuesday night will be paid for directly out of his campaign account.
Members of the Texas House of Representatives make only $7,500 per year.
Martinez Fischer insisted that chartering a private plane instead of flying commercially was necessary because 'everybody wants to see' us, so we 'need to fly privately.'
In a selfie video from the tarmac on Monday, Martinez Fischer assured the coach buses, two private jets chartered from Austin to D.C. and hotel accommodations are all privately funded and not taken from taxpayer dollar
Dan Crenshaw, who represents Texas' 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House, called the group 'pathetic' and 'delinquent children' on Monday evening.
'Hard to imagine a more delusional group of people - thinking that lying about these bills, hopping on a chartered flight, sipping beer, and skipping work is 'sacrifice,' he tweeted.
The Republican congressman added: 'You guys are pathetic. Totally pathetic.'
'These delinquents are doing this to kill a bill that does things like make voting hours across counties the same,' he followed up in another tweet. 'There isn't a single thing in these bills that is 'voter suppression.' This a (sic) giant charade. Texans should be furious, and vote all of these children out of office.'
Abbott said on Monday night the state Democrats will be arrested upon their return to Texas.
He also linked to his campaign fundraising page on Twitter and urge supporters to donate to help fund Democrats breaking a quorum in Texas. He said on the fundraising page: 'We don't know how long it's going to take to beat back Republican efforts to suppress the vote'
