Nelson and former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke are among those helping defray the costs of Texas Democratic legislators who are ensconced at the Washington Plaza Hotel in D.C.While the seats are vacant, a new quorum can be reached with the sitting House. That's when they can take the vote on election reform.If true, the the Texas House Democrats are guilty of accepting a bribe to withhold their vote under the Texas Constitution, and should have their House seats vacated.
According to the Texas State Constitution:
Article 16 Section 41:Sec. 41. BRIBERY AND SOLICITATION OR ACCEPTANCE OF BRIBES. Any person who shall, directly or indirectly, offer, give, or promise, any money or thing of value, testimonial, privilege or personal advantage, to any executive or judicial officer or member of the Legislature to influence him in the performance of any of his public or official duties, shall be guilty of bribery, and be punished in such manner as shall be provided by law. And any member of the Legislature or executive or judicial officer who shall solicit, demand or receive, or consent to receive, directly or indirectly, for himself, or for another, from any company, corporation or person, any money, appointment, employment, testimonial, reward, thing of value or employment, or of personal advantage or promise thereof, for his vote or official influence, or for withholding the same, or with any understanding, expressed or implied, that his vote or official action shall be in any way influenced thereby, or who shall solicit, demand and receive any such money or other advantage matter or thing aforesaid for another, as the consideration of his vote or official influence, in consideration of the payment or promise of such money, advantage, matter or thing to another, shall be held guilty of bribery, within the meaning of the Constitution, and shall incur the disabilities provided for said offenses, with a forfeiture of the office they may hold, and such other additional punishment as is or shall be provided by law.
The Texas Constitution is there for all to see. The question now is whether the Republicans have the nerve to act like Democrats and enforce their own Constitution to kick the fleeing Democrats out of the House that they vacated.
-PJ
Sections of Article 15 may apply as well.
“The question now is whether the Republicans have the nerve to act like Democrats and enforce their own Constitution to kick the fleeing Democrats out of the House that they vacated.”
Then the governor can appoint their temporary replacement until special elections can be held. Not quite as satisfying as having them taken out back and shot like dogs and smoking a good cigar while you watch. But we can’t all be Saddam Hussein.