Reply #6: TX: Chaos Breaks Out In Senate Over Voter ID Bill

[livvy]

May 15, 2007, 5:12PM
Chaos breaks out in Senate over Voter ID bill

By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

AUSTIN — Democrats barely blocked consideration of a voter identification bill Tuesday, scraping up enough votes only after a shouting match over whether a key senator's vote was counted and the just-in-time appearance of a senator with the stomach flu.

Under Senate rules, two-thirds of the chamber, or 21 senators, must agree to bring a bill up for debate. Democrats hold 11 seats, just enough to block legislation from being considered if they vote together.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said in March that all 11 Democrats had committed to blocking the bill requiring voters to produce photo identification or two other forms of non-photo identification at a polling place.

Their solidarity meant Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst had to wait weeks to even try to bring up the measure the House passed in mid-April.

He got his chance on Tuesday, when Democratic Sen. Carlos Uresti stayed home with the flu.

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4806873.html