Texas House Seeks Arrest of Truant Dems [State Troopers & Rangers ordered to track them down]

NJ.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)

[MEG33]

Our Dems are not looking good!

[wideawake]

LOL!

This is the kind of grown-up behavior we've come to expect from the Obstruction Party.

If they're not obstructing justice, they're obstructing the US Senate. If they're not obstructing the US Senate, they're obstructing the Texas statehouse.

Pathetic.

[mad puppy]

If I don't show up for work I certainly wouldn't get paid and would probably be fired. Texas tax payers should act this way the next they're asked to pay their state taxes. At a minimum, remember they way these clowns acted next time they want re-elected.

[So Cal Rocket]

Most of the missing lawmakers had said they planned to leave the state to avoid arrest.

If they've left the state, can a case be made that they've abandoned their positions and therefore an election can be held to fill the vacancy?

[roderick]

This should be a national story. US Senate and TX dims seek to shut down government when the tide is against them.

[Caleb1411]

Republicans gained control of the chamber in November for the first time since Reconstruction.

No wonder the Dems are pouting; they've been used to calling the shots for so long, they're having a perfectly awful time hearing the majority tell them where to get off.

With querulous snits like this one, they'd better get used to being the minority party.

[mabelkitty]

I hope this gets national news.

Not unlike the time they walked out of impeachment.

Every time they don't get their way, they run and hide or run to a microphone.

[vpintheak]

This is one of the biggest examples of pure cowardice I have ever seen by politicians. Texans should be demanding the resignation of each and every one of these low life bottom feeders that are too scared to do there jobs!

[aristeides]

Can the rules be changed if these guys continue not to show up? Or is the same quorum needed for that too?

[discostu]

I wonder with something like this if it gets elevated. In general leaving the state to avoid arrest is called interstate flight to avoid prosecution which adds 5 to 10. We can hope.

[pgyanke]

This is kind of a little temper tantrum. That's allowed in democracy."

No... this is dereliction of duty and the antithesis of our representative republic.

[dirtboy]

GOP House Speaker Tom Craddick locked down the House chamber so lawmakers who did show up Monday morning could not leave. After a roll call, he ordered the missing lawmakers arrested and brought back to the chamber.

Can someone provide a cite for the law that allows the arrest of a legislator for not being at his desk?

[aristeides]

The sergeant at arms can arrest members of Congress when there is a quorum call.

[MEG33]

NJ.com is not Texas.com!It's too good a story not to get national attention!

[TexanToTheCore]

I would love to see those Dems hauled back in chains by some Texas Rangers. Maybe we could jeer them as the rode by in carts to the statehouse. Lookin' to make the short drive to Austin here.....

[green team 1999]

I was looking for the word "humor" somewhere,even check the link,democrats have been hit hard with some new virus nationwide,going dumb

[thegreatbeast]

Republicans, democrats- it doesn't matter. This just underscores the taint that attaches itself to politics. It may bring a smile to a lot of lips but after awhile ALL these clowns will be out on the hustings talking about leadership, courage and all sorts of fanciful things.

[Cathryn Crawford]

This is why I love Texas.

[Just mythoughts]

Put their pictures on milk cartons, wanted posters in post offices, lawmaker missing alerts on every freeway, these good old want-a-be LBJ's need rounded up.