Texas State Representative Jasmine Crockett has been one of the most visible and articulate legislators fighting the GOP attack on Texas voters. She has a message for Democrats that may be softening.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a real Texas voter suppression warrior in DC
It is with trepidation that I read the article Houston Chronicle article “Slow-rolling hunt for absent Texas Democrats begins with a door knock.” It read as if the Democratic heroes like Rep. Jasmine Crockett, fighting for Texans’ right to vote, were criminals.
The hunt for missing Democratic Texas House members escalated late Thursday and Friday, as the sergeant-at-arms and law enforcement visited some of the absentees’ homes with the aim of bringing them to the Capitol.
Earlier this week, Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan issued civil arrest warrants for 52 Democrats who have refused to report to the House for a month now, depriving the Republican majority of the 100-member quorum needed to vote on legislation during two special sessions.
The warrants allow law enforcement to order, and even escort, members back to the chamber. But given that they are not guilty of a crime, members are not at risk of going to jail.
It was apropos that I would be interviewing one of these Democrats in Washington DC. Rep Jasmine Crockett has been one of the visible and most articulate voices ensuring that Americans understand that the voter suppression techniques would ultimately touch America.
I had a lot of questions for Crockett, but I threw them out the door. I wanted to know the state of the walkout to block the quorum at the Texas State Legislature. I had heard that a few of the Democrats were returning to Texas or had returned.
She pointed out that there are rumors of negotiations going on with Democrats fear losing “something.” Crockett made it clear. Republicans in Texas will not come through with anything. They want the bodies of Democrats for a quorum, nothing more. Her wisdom clarifies that any promises made will be immediately reneged upon Republicans succeeding in ramming their voter suppression bills.
Listen to the entire interview. This is the face of the Democratic leadership, an unabashed belief in action for those they serve.