BREAKING: Enough Wayward Texas Democrats Returned to Austin Briefly to Create a Quorum

AUSTIN, TX – A number of Texas Democratic House members returned to the chamber in Austin to constitute a quorum briefly and allow the governing body to conduct business. 

State Representative Drew Darby posted on social media that a quorum had been reached.  "As of this evening, the Texas House has finally obtained a quorum! Now, we can get to work on behalf of Texans to provide foster care funding, a thirteenth check for our retired teachers, much needed property tax relief, and funding for additional border security, among other important issues. I will continue to be a strong voice for the people of the Concho Valley and West Texas on these critical issues!" Wrote San Angelo's representative.  

The Texas Tribune is reporting that enough lawmakers were present in the Texas House on Thursday for the chamber to conduct business — opening the door for the passage of the GOP priority elections bill that prompted Democrats to flee the state in July in an effort to shut down the legislation.

The last three Democrats to enter making a quorum were led by Houston Rep. Garnet Coleman.  Houston Democrats Armando Walle and Ana Hernandez joined Coleman in his return Thursday evening, with Walle pushing a wheelchair for Coleman who’d recently undergone surgery on his leg.

With the quorum in place, the house referred several bills to committees and then promptly adjourned until Monday.