(AUSTIN TX) In unprecedented fashion the Texas State Senate met as a Committee of the Whole to discuss Senate Bill 362 for nearly twenty-four continuous hours. From 10:00 am Tuesday March 10 until 9:45 am Wednesday March 11 members remained on the floor without interruption in order to hear testimony and discuss the ramifications of the Voter ID legislation--all in spite of the multiple more important pressing issues that the state of Texas currently faces.
The Senate approached this process in an unusual manner one that I cannot recall ever occurring in the history of the Senate absent a filibuster stated Senator Van de Putte. In granting only 10-20 minute reprieves every two and a half hours over the last twenty-four hours Senator Van de Putte says I now know that our Republican leadership has placed expediency and ends above deliberation and means. Senate Bill 362 has already occupied a substantial portion of the business of the state further distracting the elected representatives from issues of real importance to Texas families.
Senate Democrats are committed to continuing this legislative battle that will affect the fundamental voting rights of Texans. If this legislation passes it must pre-clear the voting rights division of the Department of Justice and inevitably withstand a federal legal challenge Senator Van de Putte explained. Understanding this Senate Democrats are determined that all statements and rationale for this legislation be on record for posterity.
I have mixed feelings about what has happened so far: on one hand Im proud to be a part of this team of Democrats fighting for the basic rights of Texans and to be associated with those unwavering Texans whove waited over twenty-four hours to have their voices heard. On the other Im disappointed that we have chosen to spend our precious time--and the time of deserving Texans--on this single issue. Theres so much else we must accomplish beyond this partisan atrocity said Senator Van de Putte.
Further expressing her disappointment with the situation Senator Van de Putte said: This bill takes what should be a bipartisan matter that is beyond politics--unrestricted access to the voting booth--and twists it into a partisan wrestling match.
(AUSTIN TX) In unprecedented fashion the Texas State Senate met as a Committee of the Whole to discuss Senate Bill 362 for nearly twenty-four continuous hours. From 10:00 am Tuesday March 10 until 9:45 am Wednesday March 11 members remained on the floor without interruption in order to hear testimony and discuss the ramifications of the Voter ID legislation--all in spite of the multiple more important pressing issues that the state of Texas currently faces.
The Senate approached this process in an unusual manner one that I cannot recall ever occurring in the history of the Senate absent a filibuster stated Senator Van de Putte. In granting only 10-20 minute reprieves every two and a half hours over the last twenty-four hours Senator Van de Putte says I now know that our Republican leadership has placed expediency and ends above deliberation and means. Senate Bill 362 has already occupied a substantial portion of the business of the state further distracting the elected representatives from issues of real importance to Texas families.
Senate Democrats are committed to continuing this legislative battle that will affect the fundamental voting rights of Texans. If this legislation passes it must pre-clear the voting rights division of the Department of Justice and inevitably withstand a federal legal challenge Senator Van de Putte explained. Understanding this Senate Democrats are determined that all statements and rationale for this legislation be on record for posterity.
I have mixed feelings about what has happened so far: on one hand Im proud to be a part of this team of Democrats fighting for the basic rights of Texans and to be associated with those unwavering Texans whove waited over twenty-four hours to have their voices heard. On the other Im disappointed that we have chosen to spend our precious time--and the time of deserving Texans--on this single issue. Theres so much else we must accomplish beyond this partisan atrocity said Senator Van de Putte.
Further expressing her disappointment with the situation Senator Van de Putte said: This bill takes what should be a bipartisan matter that is beyond politics--unrestricted access to the voting booth--and twists it into a partisan wrestling match.
