CHRIS TURNER

The bill was amended to make the benefits retroactive, supporting the family of a soldier whose name is on the legislation.

Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.

Martinez Fischer replaces Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who has led the caucus since 2017 and did not seek reelection.

The Grand Prairie lawmaker has led the minority party’s House caucus since 2017.

The federal bill seeks to reinstate sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were written to protect people of color. Texas House Democrats see it as a way to prevent implementing provisions of a Texas voting restrictions bill moving through the state Legislature.

As of Wednesday, there were no known cases of absent Democrats being arrested, and the chamber was still shy of the 100 members it needs for a quorum to conduct official business. That is despite its Aug. 10 vote to proceed with the arrests.

Members left Texas about 10 days ago and have said they plan to stay out of state until after the special session ends Aug. 6.

Three of the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to stymie a Republican-backed effort to impose new voting restrictions have tested positive for COVID-19 in the nation's capital.

Three lawmakers tested positive on Saturday and two more on Sunday. All of the lawmakers are fully vaccinated.

With over 50 House Democrats in Washington — along with 12 paid staff — the costs are quickly mounting and the party's funds are not unlimited.

Texas Republicans lawmakers are still showing up at the state Capitol even though more than 50 Democrats who bolted for Washington say they have no plans to return soon.

Texas Republicans are authorizing law enforcement to find and bring back more than 50 legislators who fled to Washington “under warrant of arrest if necessary” after Democrats left the state to again block passage of sweeping new voting restrictions.

Voting rights advocates will speak outside the Texas Capitol on Tuesday afternoon as tensions mount over the GOP elections overhaul bill, which led to the exodus of Democrats in an attempt to block it.

Democrats in the Texas Legislature have bolted for Washington, D.

Texas’ lieutenant governor says Republicans won't revive changes to Sunday voting or wording that would have made it easier for judges to overturn elections.

Republicans were assigning blame after the measure's dramatic failure Sunday night, but were also already looking ahead to a special session.

Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Dan Patrick repeated unsubstantiated claims in a Thursday interview that the only way Republicans can lose on Election Day is if Democrats cheat. “The Democrats have just decided this election, Mark, we don't have to pay attention to any laws. The president leads the former vice president 50%-45% in Texas, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. During the radio interview, Patrick predicted some Texans will take to the streets to protest election results, depending on who wins.