After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached

After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached

After two weeks fleeing the state, many Texas House Democrats returned, and a quorum was reached on Monday. More than two dozen Democrats still didn’t show up and civil arrest warrants remain in effect.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows gaveled in the House at noon Monday after Gov. Greg Abbott called a second special session on Friday.

A call on the House remains in effect and the gallery doors were locked.

“A quorum is present and it’s time to resume the work of the people of Texas sent us here to do,” Burrows said. “Restoring a quorum was my first responsibility as speaker and it has been accomplished. My responsibility now is to keep this quorum intact and to maintain an atmosphere of order and respect until the job is finished.”

“No one here needs a reminder that the last few weeks have been contentious,” he told members. “From this point forward, the rules of engagement are clear: debate is welcome but personal attacks and name calling will not be tolerated. The speaker shall see that the members of the House conduct themselves in a civil manner and guests in the gallery are also reminded of the importance of decorum. Any disturbances of disorderly conduct will result in removal.”

The Texas House “has been through a tumultuous two weeks, but this institution long predates us. It will long outlast each of us. Representatives come and go. Issues rise and fall, but this body has endured wars, economic depressions and quorum breaks dating back to the very first session,” he said.

“You will withstand this too and will remain as a chamber where the majority has the right to prevail and the minority has the right to be heard. That has always been the mark of a functioning Texas House.”

Now that a quorum has been reached, the House will move quickly to hear bills. “The schedule will be demanding until our work is complete,” he said. Last week, he said his goal was to hear and vote on bills to pass them by Labor Day weekend.

House Democrats who absconded to prevent a vote on new Congressional districts and for whom arrest warrants were issued “will be granted written permission to leave only after agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated DPS officer,” Burrows said. DPS officers will also ensure their return Wednesday at 10 a.m. when the House reconvenes.

Civil arrest warrants are still out for missing House Democrats. These “warrants remain in force,” Burrows said.

The House proceeded with business, including reading the governor’s proclamation calling the second special session and the list of bills the legislature is to take up. First on the list is Hill Country flood relief. Although legislative business is ongoing, the House will reconvene on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure requiring police agencies across the state of Illinois to get full employment history for prospective...
Republicans respond to data showing 10M will soon lose Medicaid coverage

Republicans respond to data showing 10M will soon lose Medicaid coverage

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats are sounding the alarm over a new analysis showing that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will cause millions of Medicaid recipients to lose...
DOGE can access sensitive data at federal agencies, appeals court rules

DOGE can access sensitive data at federal agencies, appeals court rules

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square An appeals court ruled Tuesday to allow the Department of Government Efficiency access to sensitive data stored by three federal agencies. The ruling overrides a...
Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he and Gov. J.B. Pritzker are on the same page about President...
Musk has coalition support in lawsuit threat against Apple over App Store treatment

Musk has coalition support in lawsuit threat against Apple over App Store treatment

By Tom JopyceThe Center Square Elon Musk has the support of a coalition of tech companies after the X owner and Tesla founder says he will sue Apple, alleging the...

WATCH: Trump ‘considering’ lawsuit against Fed chair

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump is “considering” suing the chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Trump said he is allowing the lawsuit to proceed because of...
Inflation holds steady amid trade war threats

Inflation holds steady amid trade war threats

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square As President Donald Trump’s tariff policies come into effect, July’s Consumer Price Index showed overall consumer prices rose 2.7% annually, slightly lower than forecasted by...
Report: Average American household will benefit from 'big, beautiful bill' tax cuts

Report: Average American household will benefit from ‘big, beautiful bill’ tax cuts

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The average American household will see their resources increase over the next 10 years due to the tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill...
Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Democrats rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield Wednesday for Governor’s Day, but whether Gov....
Whitmer takes a stand against tariffs; meets with Trump

Whitmer takes a stand against tariffs; meets with Trump

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Democrats are taking a strong stand against President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which they say will raise prices and hurt relations with allies like...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday Aug. 12th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday Aug. 12th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop delves into the...
Governor to evaluate tax proposal for Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

Governor to evaluate tax proposal for Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is not ruling out tax legislation to help the Chicago Bears move forward with...
Illinois quick hits: Report shows rate of businesses leaving state

Illinois quick hits: Report shows rate of businesses leaving state

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Report shows rate of businesses leaving state Illinois businesses are moving to other states at triple the rate they did before the pandemic, according...
Report: New York No. 2 in nation for inbound tobacco smuggling

Report: New York No. 2 in nation for inbound tobacco smuggling

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York remains one of the top states for inbound tobacco smuggling, according to a new report, which attributes the robust underground market to the...
Lake Land College.5

Lake Land College Hires Philadelphia Firm for $100,000 Digital Marketing Campaign

In an effort to boost enrollment, Lake Land College will partner with Hybrid Media USA, LLC, a Philadelphia-based firm, for a comprehensive digital marketing campaign in the upcoming fiscal year....