Guess what? It& #39;s time for another livetweet by our Policy & Advocacy Strategist @lapinchedarcy! This time it& #39;s on the awful voter suppression bill HB 6/SB 7 in the #txlege. Here& #39;s what you need to know about the bill:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> Election officials would be charged with a state jail felony if they proactively send vote by mail applications to voters (even those that automatically qualify) unless they specifically requested it.

For context, that& #39;s the equivalent of committing animal cruelty. #txlege
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> It would turn poll watchers into vigilantes who can only be removed if they& #39;ve committed a crime related to the election -- harassment of voters, giving misleading info, or even using a racial slur would not be enough for them to be removed. #txlege
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> Unnecessary requirements and hurdles would be added for disabled and limited English proficient voters and anyone assisting them. It means more paperwork and opportunities for errors. #txlege
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> This bill was rushed through the normal process because Republicans know their days in control are numbered and they& #39;re trying to cling to power by preventing voters of color, working people, and young people from voting. #txlege
HB 6/SB 7 hasn& #39;t been brought up yet, but keep an eye on this thread - I& #39;ll check back in with y& #39;all once it starts! #txlege

In the meantime, the House floor just convened and you can watch here: https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=8&event_id=6453">https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlay...
While we wait, check out this video on why HB 6/SB 7 will be *really* bad for voters if passed by the #txlege: https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1389348800758702085?s=20">https://twitter.com/texasdemo...
Also, we& #39;re about an hour or so away from the start of the HB 6/SB 7 debate which is the perfect amount of time to call your state rep and ask them to vote NO on HB 6/SB 7 and tell them why it matters! #txlege https://p2a.co/EVYdsyj ">https://p2a.co/EVYdsyj&q...
ok, the House is taking a lunch break until 1:45PM (good for them) which means:

buckle up folks; it& #39;s gonna be a long day #txlege
Members are slowly starting to trickle back in, so now& #39;s a good time to remind y& #39;all that though HB 6 is on the calendar, it& #39;s going to become SB 7 -- here& #39;s why https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> #txlege
.........and HB 6 is postponed until 5pm #txlege
as an aside - the figurative temperature on the floor is rising and we haven& #39;t even started on HB 6. #txlege
ok y& #39;all it& #39;s starting!! HB 6/SB 7 is up!! #txlege
Briscoe Cain is laying out SB 7 and Rep. @jessicafortexas begins her questioning with a long line of Dems waiting behind her. #txlege
When asked if he agrees with the @TXsecofstate& #39;s office statement that we had a "safe and secure" election, Chair Cain says that that& #39;s their "opinion". He then becomes wishy-washy when he& #39;s called out for disagreeing with his own resource witness. #txlege
"if it& #39;s not broken, what are we trying to fix?" - Rep. @jessicafortexas #txlege
Despite being told repeatedly in committee by civil rights organizations like @TXCivilRights, @MALDEF, @NAACP_LDF, @DisRightsTx that this bill would have disparate impacts on marginalized groups.......Chair Cain says he just "disagrees". Shame. #txlege
. @TexasHDC Chair @ChrisGTurner asks Chair Cain about the amount of "voter fraud" in the 2020 general election....and he isn& #39;t able to speak about specific instances of "fraud". #txlege
"Is this legislation a part of The Big Lie perpetrated by President Donald Tr*mp?" - Chair @ChrisGTurner, in reference to Cain flying to PA to litigate the 2020 election (the tweet was mysteriously deleted...) #txlege
. @MALCTx Chair @RafaelAnchia brings up the history of the phrase "purity of the ballot box" being used as a justification for states to disenfranchise groups deemed unfit to vote. This is language used in SB 7. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia asks what the reasoning was behind using that phrase - Cain says that he looks to the constitution for guidance.

Chair Anchía mentions that the provision Cain references was intended to disenfranchise Black voters following the Civil War. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia also mentions that that language gave rise to all-white primaries, was used during the Jim Crow Era to keep Black people voting, and more.

For such an avid fan of the constitution, Chair Cain hasn& #39;t read much of the history of it, it seems. #txlege
He continues and mentions that multiple findings of discrimination against the #txlege, and asks why, in light of this, there wasn& #39;t an analysis done on the potential disparate racial impact it might have.

Chair Cain says he just didn& #39;t think it& #39;d do it. #txlege
Chair Cain says that when he was brought forth fixes he said "I don& #39;t like that" (???) because they had a disparate impact. Literally says it was a gut feeling. Yikes. #txlege
In a noticeable trend among Republicans (see: SB 8), they either look at their bills in a vacuum or they& #39;re feigning ignorance as to what they do. In either case, it& #39;s so disingenuous and frustrating to see. #txlege
"I didn& #39;t believe [a racial impact analysis] was necessary" - Chair Cain, despite being told in committee it would be a good idea by civil rights advocates. #txlege
while we wait on a parliamentary inquiry (aka a formal question) to see if they can extend Cain& #39;s time at the podium for more Qs.....

sometimes I wish I was the senate messenger who takes a sheet of paper to the House only to be interrupted after half a sentence by the gavel
ok time is officially extended (at least for the layout of the bill) until 7:15pm. #txlege
Chair @RafaelAnchia mentions how SB 7 puts limits the ability of a poll worker to remove a poll watcher - and Cain says "yes".

Reminder that things like "intimidation" or "slurs" would not be enough to remove a poll watcher under this bill. #txlege
Also, in case you thought voting rights advocates and legislators were getting any sleep tonight... #txlege https://twitter.com/jamestalarico/status/1390406883136180224?s=20">https://twitter.com/jamestala...
. @txblackcaucus Chair @NicoleCollier95 asks if intimidating a voter would be enough reason to remove a poll watcher - Cain believes they need to call the police instead https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙄" title="Gesicht mit rollenden Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit rollenden Augen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙄" title="Gesicht mit rollenden Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit rollenden Augen">

or maybe we can just let the judge remove them #txlege
Chair @NicoleCollier95 also brings up Dallas poll watchers being escorted out for peering over the shoulders of voters - highlighting how giving poll watcher free reign over a polling place can lead to abuse of power. #txlege
Ok, layout time has expired and we& #39;re on amendments.

Rep. @jessicafortexas puts forth an amendment striking the enacting clause ("BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:") -- this is a move to talk more about why the bill is so harmful. #txlege
Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas brings up how the governor also couldn& #39;t point to "voter fraud" and how the @TXsecofstate said we had a smooth and secure election. #txlege
She mentions her first time voting ever, and how her mail-in ballot was rejected, and there was no cure. This bill would lead to more instances of that. #txlege
"Poll watching is not a constitutional right" says Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas -- she& #39;s right!

The vast majority of polling places across the state DO NOT have poll watchers. #txlege
"it will be a dark day in Texas if HB 6 becomes the law."

A dark day indeed. #txlege
Vice-Chair @jessicafortexas mentions how the AG& #39;s office pretended like their "500 cases" figure were all individual persons, when -- in reality -- it was multiple charges per person.

According to a fact-check, the actual number is 43 people. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Fact-checking-Texas-lawmaker-s-claim-of-400-16095858.php">https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/...
Chair @NicoleCollier95 asks if the restrictions and penalties in SB 7 would discourage people from wanting to become poll workers -- people who are hard to find as is. Rep. @jessicafortexas says she& #39;s confident it will. #txlege
Rep. @VoteAnnJohnson, a former prosecutor, notes that the ballot harvesting provision is too broad and undefined to where it could lead to unintended consequences. #txlege
"I thank you very much and I know my wife thanks you very much because you& #39;re setting her up for a felony in 2022." - Rep. @VoteAnnJohnson re: the broad language of SB 7 that would lead to innocent people being prosecuted. #txlege
Chair @ChrisGTurner speaks in favor of striking the enacting clause -

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> this bill is an assault on voting rights and if the John Lewis VRA passes, this would fail a pre-clearance review. In just the last decade, the #txlege has been found to have discriminator intent.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> The Big Lie has been used to spread lies about "voter fraud", starting with Gov Abbott using federal funds as AG to target Latinos.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> no widespread fraud has ever been found, but they have seeded fear amongst minority communities. #txlege
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> in 2019, @GovAbbott and @KenPaxtonTX almost purged 25k naturalized voters.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts"> @KenPaxtonTX used state funds to sue OTHER STATES to overturn their election results. He was also at the rally that led to an insurrection on our nation& #39;s capitol. #txlege
"it& #39;s been an exercise in arrogance, exclusion, and confusion." says Chair @ChrisGTurner - our state is now majority-minority who live in the major cities, which are now targets of the state legislature. #txlege
"If the author does not know the effect and the reach of his bill, then we should not be debating it." - Rep. @jessicafortexas closes on her amendment.

The amendment fails 65-80. #txlege
Rep. @TurnerForTX brings up a point of order on the grounds that the bill analysis does not properly reflect.

And the waiting game begins!! #txlege
FLASH POLL: what do you think will happen with this point of order? (sustained = bill goes down, overruled = debate continues) #txlege
see here for a refresher on what a "point of order" is https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1385280963001782272?s=20">https://twitter.com/texasdemo...
uhhhh house will stand at ease? wonder what that could mean for the point of order........ #txlege
for reference, points of order with real discussion usually take about 15-30 minutes to be resolved.

We& #39;ve been at it for about an hour now, with the parliamentarians (the two people who decide) saying they need more time to review it. #txlege
so i know i& #39;ve been quiet.....but it& #39;s because we& #39;re now TWO HOURS into this point of order. some members seem to be trickling in but at this point, who knows what that means (if anything!!) #txlege
the point of order has been withdrawn and SB 7 will be postponed until 11:30PM (one hour) while Cain works on perfecting amendments. #txlege
a lil behind the scenes sneak-peek at that *2-hour long point of order* #txlege: https://twitter.com/RepWalle/status/1390494523256680449?s=20">https://twitter.com/RepWalle/...
As the clock strikes 11:30pm in (most of) our beautiful state, the House floor is on a point of order.....for a totally different bill.

We& #39;ll see if they get back to SB 7 after they finish on this bill. #txlege
what makes this even more grueling is it& #39;s the same bill that they moved onto after they postponed SB 7 an hour ago

they literally have not gotten through a single bill #txlege
some helpful context on that last bill! ty!!!!! https://twitter.com/thtbourgeoisgrl/status/1390529203536375814?s=20">https://twitter.com/thtbourge...
Seems like they& #39;re gonna knock out some of the other bills on the calendar -- i& #39;ll check back in when they& #39;re back on SB 7! #txlege
an unexpected #txlege silver lining: https://twitter.com/RoseClouston/status/1390533289669242884?s=20">https://twitter.com/RoseClous...
another unexpected silver lining:

an amendment by Rep. @VotePennyShaw to HB 3107 was adopted that would allow vote by mail applications to be hand-delivered to a county clerk& #39;s office up to the day of the deadline #txlege
^^ bet you& #39;re surprised that& #39;s not currently the statute -- right now, applications are only allowed to be hand-delivered until the last business day before early voting starts (for no real reason at all) #txlege
another aside: sometimes i just wanna make a huge supercut of every time the members say amendment #txlege
related: the word "amendment" has reached semantic satiation levels for me (yes i just learned this phrase) #txlege
friendly reminder that when we get back to SB 7 we still have like, 140 amendments to get through lol #txlege
about that 11:30PM postponement time #txlege: https://twitter.com/chucklindell/status/1390511102304346116?s=20">https://twitter.com/chucklind...
shout-out to my boss @RoseClouston for suggesting over a week ago that i take tomorrow off

here& #39;s a video of us together https://twitter.com/texasdemocrats/status/1389348800758702085?s=20">https://twitter.com/texasdemo...
FLASH POLL: should we all have just taken a nap for a bit?
Speaker Phelan signals that we& #39;re about to jump back into SB 7 - put on another pot of coffee y& #39;all #txlege
aaaand we& #39;re at ease until "2:35" (yeah ok) #txlege
they& #39;re back!! it& #39;s time for SB 7!! real voter suppression hours, who up #txlege
Cain provides a couple of amendments that he says he worked on with the NAACP and a coalition of voters with disabilities. All are adopted. #txlege
Rep. @BucyForTexas talks about Crystal Mason who was sentenced to 5 years in prison for casting a provisional ballot (that was never counted) because no one told her that being on supervised release made it illegal for her to vote. #txlege
Rep. @BucyForTexas& #39;s amendment states that a judge must instruct a defendant on how the conviction will affect their right to vote and that voters only commit an offense if they knew that those circumstances made them ineligible.

Amendment is adopted w/o objection. #txlege
Another amendment by Rep. @BucyForTexas, this time one that would foster transparency by requiring counties and other districts to post when and where they& #39;re having an election. Amendment is adopted. #txlege
Two more by Rep. @BucyForTexas, including one that would create a database of elections so that voters can know who the incumbent is for a given district and who the candidates are that are running against them.

Amendment is adopted. #txlege
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