Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has called another special session of the legislature to try to pass a controversial voting bill after Democrats fled the state to block its passage.
In a statement on Thursday, Abbott said, “The Texas Legislature achieved a great deal during the 87th Legislative Session, and they have a responsibility to finish the work that was started.”
“I will continue to call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity, and pass other important items that Texans demand and deserve. Passing these Special Session agenda items will chart a course towards a stronger and brighter future for the Lone Star State,” he added.
The Texas governor said the session will begin on August 7.
I'm convening a second special session on 8/7.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 5, 2021
The #txlege must finish the work that was started.
I'll call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity, & pass other items Texans demand & deserve. https://t.co/EXoHBR0JTg
Along with the controversial voting bill, Abbott also listed border security, “social media censorship,” and critical race theory, as items that will be addressed in the session.
In July, more than 50 Democratic state lawmakers left the state to deny Republicans a quorum, the number of lawmakers required to be present to conduct business, in an attempt to block a controversial voting law.
That move came after Abbott called a special session to try to pass the voting bill after Democrats blocked its passage by leaving the state Capitol during a regular legislative session in the spring.
Abbott responded to the decision to flee the state by vowing to call “special session after special session.”
“Because over time it is going to continue until they step up to vote,” he added.
He also vowed, “Once they step back into the state of Texas they will be arrested and brought back to the Texas Capitol and we will be conducting business.”
While Democrats claimed the bill was an attack on voting rights, Abbott denied that the legislation would “hinder anybody’s ability to vote.”