NICOLE COLLIER

“There’s been some significant — if not irreparable — damage to the relationships within the body,” said state Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall.

Three Texas House Democrats testified before a congressional committee on their efforts to thwart voting restrictions — and were met with heat from their Republican counterparts.

WASHINGTON — Facing criticism and accolades alike, three Texas Democrats took center stage Thursday during a congressional hearing on voting rights with their national call to action to stop Republican efforts to pass further restrictions.

González, of Dallas, and fellow state Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, discussed Senate Bill 7, which failed to pass during the regular legislative session, and what's next for legislators.

Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked blocked the For The People Act on Tuesday. Texas Democrats have increasingly called for federal legislation.

González, of Dallas, and fellow state Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, discussed Senate Bill 7, which failed to pass during the regular legislative session, and what's next for legislators.

Republicans in the Texas Senate muscled one of the most restrictive new voting laws in the U.S. to the cusp of the governor's desk early Sunday.

Texas Republicans are digging in for a final weekend vote on some of the most restrictive new voting laws in the U.S. A sweeping bill finalized Saturday would eliminate drive-thru voting, reduce polling hours and scale back Sunday voting.

Some Democrats on the committee tasked with coming up with the compromise bill pushed back against the idea that deal had been reached — at least one they’re part of.

The Senate opted not to accept the House changes to Senate Bill 7, prompting the formation of a conference committee to iron out the differences.

Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune. (Audio unavailable. Click here to listen on texastribune.org.) In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to state Rep. Nicole Collier, chairwoman of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, about the George Floyd Act, bail reform, marijuana, public safety funding and other items on the agenda in the 2021 session.

For years, a handful of Texas lawmakers have tried in vain to pass legislation that would remove or replace the holiday celebrating leaders of the Confederate army. The birthdays of Lee and Davis used to be separate Texas holidays, but lawmakers consolidated them in 1973 to create Confederate Heroes Day. State Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, filed the other in support. He plans to hold a press conference with Collier and other representatives at noon on the state holiday. In 2015, state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, filed a bill to rename the holiday Civil War Remembrance Day, but it died in committee.

click to enlarge Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas TribuneA 1903 Confederate monument stands at the south entrance to the Texas Capitol grounds. For years, a handful of Texas lawmakers have tried in vain to pass legislation that would remove or replace the holiday celebrating leaders of the Confederate army. The birthdays of Lee and Davis used to be separate Texas holidays, but lawmakers consolidated them in 1973 to create Confederate Heroes Day. State Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, filed the other in support. He plans to hold a press conference with Collier and other representatives at noon on the state holiday.