More Texas Democrats Tested Positive For COVID-19

An additional two Texas Democrats tested positive for COVID-19, joining three other Texas Democrats with coronavirus who remain outside the state. The lawmakers are currently staying in Washington DC to avoid having to attend the Texas Legislature and avoid a quorum. 

RELATED: Texas Democrats Get Out Of Dodge To Block Vote Reform

Five Texas Democrats Tested Positive

According to reports, there are now five Texas state legislature members that tested positive for COVID-19. Coincidentally, the news comes the same day that Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris dropped by Walter Reed Medical Center for a “routine” visit after meeting with Texas lawmakers last week. 

More than 50 Texas Democrats decided to skip town last week to avoid achieving a quorum during a special session of the Texas Legislature.

Instead of attending to business and doing their jobs, the Texas Democrats hopped on a chartered flight to Washington DC to ride it out until time runs out for the session. The more to flee the state effectively obstructed Republicans’ attempt to pass election integrity legislation the Democrats opposed. 

Travel To Washington DC

In their plans to flee Texas, the Democrats chose Washington DC as their destination. They hope to garner support from the rest of the country in their fight against the Democrats.

Instead, they received heavy criticism for posting pictures inside the plane without wearing mandated face masks. Once the authorities found out a member of the fleeing party was COVID-19 positive, the rest of the 50-person group underwent testing. 

Earlier, Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized the Democrats’ move to avoid a quorum as abandoning their sworn jobs. Political experts said that the state can compel these lawmakers to return to Texas to fulfill their job duties.

Abbott did say that he will continue to call for special sessions until the Democrats return. He also threatened to arrest the Democrats once they stepped back into Texas soil. 

What Are They Against?

So what do the Texas Democrats want to avoid? The bill in question aims to strengthen voter ID requirements for mail-in ballots. This was a concern during last year’s presidential campaign and during and after the elections.

However, Abbott dismissed the claims that the voting rights bill makes it harder for citizens to vote. In a tweet on Sunday, he said that “Facts matter.  Reckless rhetoric doesn’t. The Texas election integrity bill doesn’t disenfranchise Texas voters.

It makes elections fair and uniform. Anyone saying that the bill denies people the right to vote is simply lying.”

Watch the NPR video commenting on why Texas Democrats fled to DC over voting rights:

How do you feel about the Texas Democrats who fled the state? What do you think about their stunt, especially when some of them tested positive for COVID-19? Should Governor Abbott arrest them and compel them to do their jobs?

Tell us what you think. Share your comments below.