Texas Democrats Meet With Vice President Harris

A delegation of Democratic lawmakers met with Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday.

Texas Democratic Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement after the historic meeting, “It is an honor to see our state Democratic leaders meet with Vice President Kamala Harris today to discuss preserving, protecting, and expanding voting rights in Texas. Just a few weeks ago, our Democratic state representatives showed the country what courage and leadership look like as they broke quorum to stop the worst assault on voting rights in the state since Jim Crow.

“What Republicans have attempted in Texas is the prime example of why we need federal legislation protecting voting rights and our democracy, and we are thrilled that our legislators were able to meet with the Vice President and national leaders this week in D.C. to discuss how urgent the need is for federal legislation like the For the People Act.

The meeting, coming on the heels of what some democratic legislators referred to as a “tumultuous and very stressful” legislative session, centered on the Texas Democrats who stood up against a bill that would strip away Texans’ right to vote.

Rep. Ron Reynolds called the session, “the worst one I have experienced in my six terms.” “It is so crucial that we stick together,” he said.

Former State Sen. Rodney Ellis, concurred, also referring to the session as “vitriolic and mean-spirited” as he expressed his support of the legislators who walked out of the session. “Keep on walking and we are going to support you!”

“Our fight is not over. Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans continue to push the passage of legislation that restricts our access and ability to vote in free and fair elections across the state,” said Mr. Hinojosa. “Texas cannot afford to wait much longer for federal action: the Governor has threatened to call legislators back to Austin to push his extreme, anti-democracy agenda.”