Texas state representative Ron Reynolds (D, Missouri City) talks with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus as well as voting-rights advocates at a rally outside Austin's Texas State Capitol on July 8, 2021. Tamir Kalifa/Getty ImagesIn July, dozens of Democratic state legislators fled Texas to stop restrictive voting laws.A month later, there has been little or no progress.Although it is not clear what their next move will be, many have no plans to return anytime soon.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.In mid-July, Texas House Democrats fled to Washington, DC with two goals: to convince Congress of new voting laws, and to ensure that the state house would not have a majority to pass restrictive voting legislation.A month later, dozens of state legislators are still in Washington DC with very little evidence.The US Senate was close to voting on a voting accessibility bill. However, Ted Cruz of Texas stopped it. Now, the Senate is in August recess. This means that there won't be another Senate election until September.Texas Democrats are stuck in a bindThe Texas state GOP senators, however, remained behind and maintained quorum. They then added the voting restrictions bill onto their agenda. State Democrats had no choice but to try to filibuster this bill with a clear Republican majority.On Wednesday and Thursday, Democratic state senator Carol Alvarado remained without food or drink for 15 hours as she tried to prevent the Senate from passing the voting bill. After she left her desk and finished her filibuster the Texas senator passed the bill 18-11 along party lines.On Monday, Texas house leaders issued a "Call of the House” motion requiring all members to attend the chamber. It also gave permission for authorities to detain and bring missing legislators to the capitol.The sergeant at-arms can be commanded to lock the chamber by a "Call of the House". The Dallas Morning News reported Friday that law enforcement officers are currently searching for missing Democrats to return them.Texas state Democrats have no chance of success in the US Senate until September. They can either stay home and allow the bill to pass, or they can make little progress as the party is plagued by PR problems from unforced mistakes.Continue the storyContinue reading: 11 Best Capitol Hill Twitter Accounts, with the most snarkiest and chartiest commentary,Democrat's have slowly lost the court of public opinion due to avoidable mistakes and Republican attacksTexas Democrats were cheered by voting advocacy groups and Democratic groups from across the country when they broke the quorum at May's end to stop restrictive voting laws from being passed and anti-transgender legislation.Two weeks later, the Democratic caucus posted photos showing its members on their way to DC to court Congressional Democrats.Their mistake! The easily identifiable beer box in the middle of the frame became the subject of Republican attack ads.Items from Gov. Abbott are also being used by Republican leaders. Greg Abbott has created a legislative agenda that will show the missing Democrats what they could vote for if they return. For example, State Rep. Briscoe Cauin used his office door to display that the necessary foster care funding was being withheld while Democrats abstain in Austin.Two Democratic members also fled their DC colleagues in August to plan a vacation to Portugal. The Republican leaders again seized on the members' mistakes and pointed out resources Democrats could pass into law if needed.Although it's not clear what Texas Democrats have in mind, it seems they intend to keep the course. Insider tried to reach Reps. Gene Wu & Jarvis Johnson, but they didn't respond in time for publication.Rep. VikkiGoodwin stated to the Dallas Morning News she would not return to Texas until "can safely" without fear. But Wu was more assertive when Wu asked the Houston Chronicle if he would return soon.Wu stated, "Hell no!"Business Insider has the original article.
