Thirty-eight days after Texas House Democrats staged a walkout to prevent Republicans from reaching the quorum needed to pass a disastrous voting rights bill, the state’s governor is striking back full force. Gov. Greg. Abbott issued a proclamation and accompanying news release on Wednesday to announce 11 horrific agenda items for a special legislative session planned for 10 AM EST Thursday. “Unlike a regular session, only Abbott can say what topic lawmakers consider during a special session,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Eleanor Dearman wrote.
Although Abbott didn’t specifically name Senate Bill 7 as an agenda item, aspects of the bill will likely come up under a section the governor dubbed “election integrity.” The bill that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called an “assault” on democracy would cut early voting hours, increase access for "partisan poll watchers," and add a photo identification requirement that follows in Georgia’s footsteps, according to the Texas Tribune. The proposed legislation also promises to ban drive-thru voting similar to a bill that Alabama’s governor signed into law in May.
"The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” Abbott said in the news release. "Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans.
“These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home."
If Abbott had his way, that “brighter future” would ban transgender athletes from competing with university teams that correspond with their gender identity, give border patrol more money to terrorize families fleeing their home countries in fear of their safety, and through House Bill 20 make it more difficult for people to bond out of jail without cash.
Public defender Scott Hechinger tweeted: "Jaquaree Simmons. Probably haven't heard of him. Just 23. Caged pretrial in TX. Called mom almost every day from his jail cell. Crying & begging for help. One week later, found dead. Only answers for his family is HB 20. Law that'll only make things worse." Hechinger, who's been working with the nonprofit Texas Jail Project to document jail deaths and reduce harm caused to those in small county jails, went on to say that more than 60% of those in Texas jails, or about 40,000 people, have not been convicted of a crime and are “caged” because “they cannot afford bail.”
“Yet racist Gov. Abbott, police, prosecutors want more to suffer. This bill--HB 20--will literally take away power from judges to release people. It's sinister,” Hechinger tweeted.
What’s worse is that the bail reform item is only the tip of the iceberg in Abbott’s plan. His agenda also includes legislation the Texas American Federation of Teachers described as an effort to ban in-public school discussion of critical race theory and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ groundbreaking 1619 Project, which framed American history through the experience of slavery and contributions of Black people. The union said in a statement in June that it plans to fight the legislation:
Now that the date for the special session has been announced, the teachers’ union isn’t the only facet ready to fight. Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. House of Representative member representing Texas's 16th congressional district, tweeted in response to the list: “Texas Democrats: Hold the line. This is about the future of our democracy and the right to vote for every single Texan. The people of Texas are with you — every step of the way.” Democrat Julián Castro, who's from San Antonio, tweeted: “This is a make or break moment for voting rights in Texas. Texas Democrats used every tool in the toolbox to block Republicans’ voter suppression bill. Now we need to have their backs again. RT if you stand with Texas Democrats and against voter suppression.”
Read the governor’s complete list of agenda items below:
RELATED: Texas GOP's response to COVID-19 pandemic is bill making it more difficult to vote
RELATED: 'We need Congress,' Texas Democrats say after staging walkout to block voter suppression bill
RELATED: Texas Republicans invite showdown with major corporations over GOP clampdown on access to voting
RELATED: Video shows Texas congressman saying 'chaos and inability to get stuff done' is best GOP strategy
Although Abbott didn’t specifically name Senate Bill 7 as an agenda item, aspects of the bill will likely come up under a section the governor dubbed “election integrity.” The bill that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called an “assault” on democracy would cut early voting hours, increase access for "partisan poll watchers," and add a photo identification requirement that follows in Georgia’s footsteps, according to the Texas Tribune. The proposed legislation also promises to ban drive-thru voting similar to a bill that Alabama’s governor signed into law in May.
"The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” Abbott said in the news release. "Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans.
“These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home."
If Abbott had his way, that “brighter future” would ban transgender athletes from competing with university teams that correspond with their gender identity, give border patrol more money to terrorize families fleeing their home countries in fear of their safety, and through House Bill 20 make it more difficult for people to bond out of jail without cash.
Public defender Scott Hechinger tweeted: "Jaquaree Simmons. Probably haven't heard of him. Just 23. Caged pretrial in TX. Called mom almost every day from his jail cell. Crying & begging for help. One week later, found dead. Only answers for his family is HB 20. Law that'll only make things worse." Hechinger, who's been working with the nonprofit Texas Jail Project to document jail deaths and reduce harm caused to those in small county jails, went on to say that more than 60% of those in Texas jails, or about 40,000 people, have not been convicted of a crime and are “caged” because “they cannot afford bail.”
“Yet racist Gov. Abbott, police, prosecutors want more to suffer. This bill--HB 20--will literally take away power from judges to release people. It's sinister,” Hechinger tweeted.
What’s worse is that the bail reform item is only the tip of the iceberg in Abbott’s plan. His agenda also includes legislation the Texas American Federation of Teachers described as an effort to ban in-public school discussion of critical race theory and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ groundbreaking 1619 Project, which framed American history through the experience of slavery and contributions of Black people. The union said in a statement in June that it plans to fight the legislation:
Now that the date for the special session has been announced, the teachers’ union isn’t the only facet ready to fight. Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. House of Representative member representing Texas's 16th congressional district, tweeted in response to the list: “Texas Democrats: Hold the line. This is about the future of our democracy and the right to vote for every single Texan. The people of Texas are with you — every step of the way.” Democrat Julián Castro, who's from San Antonio, tweeted: “This is a make or break moment for voting rights in Texas. Texas Democrats used every tool in the toolbox to block Republicans’ voter suppression bill. Now we need to have their backs again. RT if you stand with Texas Democrats and against voter suppression.”
Read the governor’s complete list of agenda items below:
RELATED: Texas GOP's response to COVID-19 pandemic is bill making it more difficult to vote
RELATED: 'We need Congress,' Texas Democrats say after staging walkout to block voter suppression bill
RELATED: Texas Republicans invite showdown with major corporations over GOP clampdown on access to voting
RELATED: Video shows Texas congressman saying 'chaos and inability to get stuff done' is best GOP strategy