Empowered by Texas Democrat lawmakers, Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Republicans pull a similar stunt.
In an interview, Graham spoke against a $3.5 trillion budget package, describing the bill as, “a tax and spend dream of the socialist left.”
He continued, “To my Republican colleagues, we may learn something from our Democratic friends in Texas when it comes to avoiding a $3.5 trillion tax and spend package: Leave town.” Last week, a group of Democrat lawmakers fled Texas for Washington, D.C. In a private plane, without masks, they stalled the legislative process to prevent the passing of a controversial election bill. So far 6 of the lawmakers caught COVID-19 during their trip, along with a couple other people that they met with.
Fleeing the state stalls the passing of bills, since lawmakers must meet a quorum to vote on legislation. While their efforts are not illegal, critics argue that they disrespect the rights of constituents by preventing the passing of other important legislation. Popular conservative television host Tucker Carlson said, “By leaving the state, they violated their sworn duty to represent voters and committed what amounted to an act of, yes, insurrection.”
