By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX – In 1979, they were known as the "Killer Bees."
In 2003, House Speaker Tom Craddick has dubbed them the "Chicken Ds."
That was what the Speaker called the 53 Democratic members of the Texas House who today did not show up for session. The no-shows left the House without a quorum and without an agenda, since no legislative action can be taken without a quorum.
In 1979, it was a group of a dozen or so state senators who withdrew from the ranks, leaving the Senate without a quorum and unable to do business. Today it was Democratic members of the House
"The Democrats did a great job of dividing the House," said an impatient and frustrated Craddick at a noon press conference.
Fifty-three members of the House today had letters delivered to the House Parliamentarian noting they would be absent and asked that their voting machines be locked. The action followed weekend rumors that enough Democrats had agreed not to show up for session today to halt consideration of any legislation.
Craddick said it is the responsibility of the missing members "to be here to represent the people they represent in their district."
"The people of Texas will not be happy campers," said Craddick.
Following a roll call this morning, Craddick announced there was not a quorum and a motion for a "Call on the House" was approved. That leaves members who are in attendance unable to leave the House hallways without the permission of the Speaker. A motion also was approved to have the House Sergeant send for and arrest all members whose absences are not excused.
At the press conference, Craddick announced "something was done" that will allow officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety (who are responsible for arresting missing, unexcused members) to reach across state lines if necessary to bring missing members back to the state capitol. Media reports over the weekend noted that the Democratic holdouts were contemplating splitting into groups and leaving the state.
If the members are returned, there really are no penalties in House rules. "Y'all are the penalty," he said to media representatives.
Asked if perhaps Democratic members of the House felt their hands were tied regarding some contentious legislation being taken up in the House, particularly Congressional redistricting, Craddick responded, "How do you think Republicans have felt for the past 130 years?"
Craddick said he had "no idea" about the planned walkout. He said he had spoken to Gov. Rick Perry this morning and Perry assured that if the walkout results in major legislation not being taken up before the end of the regular session, "He will call us right back" for a special session.
Craddick said he had tried from his first day as Speaker to promote a bipartisan House. He noted his committee appointments were "fair" with a proportionate number of Republicans, Democrats, women and minorities serving as chairs and members. "I gave everybody an equal opportunity," he said. He now blames the Democrats for partisanship that led to the walkout.
"I tried to keep that bipartisan approach," he said. "You can figure out who's doing the partisan stuff,"
He said the Republicans in the House have done well in remaining bipartisan, as have most of the Democrats. "It is a small group that hasn't figured it out," he said.
Asked how much of the blame should fall at the speaker's feet, Craddick responded, "I don't know where the blame is on me. We opened up for business today and on time. Some Democrats showed up and a couple more are on the way. It's up to those that went and hid - that went into hiding - not those that didn't."
He urged the missing members to "stand up like a man or a woman" and "come back and do the duty you were elected to do."
While the House continues to stand at ease awaiting a quorum, Craddick noted that House committees that had previously posted and that have quorums would be allowed to meet.
Janelle Shephard, vice president of external affairs for Texas Citizen Action Network (Texas CAN) said of the walkout, "For 150 years the Democrats pushed their agendas and Congressional district lines down the throats of Texans. Suddenly the heat in the kitchen is too much for them and they've decided to leave town."
She said by leaving the capitol, the group is "willfully shutting down the state legislature and sending a message that the process is not worthy of their attention." She accused the Democrats of "throwing tantrums" and that the walkout is "insulting to the citizens of Texas." On the other hand, Texas AFL-CIO President Joe Gunn praised the House Democrats for leaving Austin and "saying they are resisting an unprecedented partisan power play that has run roughshod over the needs of Texas."
He said the GOP members of the House are putting their goal of defeating Democratic congressmen before their responsibility of serving the people of Texas. "Republicans have chosen to make congressional redistricting a top priority and they should not be surprised that the Democrats have now responded in kind."
He said rather than shirking their responsibility, as Craddick alleged, the no-show Democrats "have pursued a higher duty in attempting to hold at bay the tyranny of a majority run amuck."
To read Craddick's prepared statement, click here.