Party line vote changes two-thirds rule, weakens Democrats in Texas Senate
AUSTIN – The 31-member Texas Senate made history Wednesday afternoon.
After nearly two hours of spirited debate, the Republican-dominated body voted – largely along party lines – to replace an 84-year rule that required the approval of 21 senators present to bring a bill to the chamber’s floor.
A new three-fifths rule replaces the two-thirds requirement. The change means that bringing a bill to the Senate floor now requires only 19 votes, a move some Democrat called partisan maneuvering because it prevents the Democratic minority from blocking any legislation they oppose.
The final vote was 20-10 with GOP Sens. Charles Perry of Lubbock and Kel Seliger of Amarillo voting with the majority. Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville was the lone Democrat in favor of the historic change while Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, voted “present,” which means he abstained.
Read more: http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2015-01-21/party-line-vote-changes-two-thirds-rule-weakens-democrats-texas-senate#.VMBgxGO-c1k
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