By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX – The Texas House is officially standing "at ease" as ordered by Speaker Tom Craddick after a sufficient number of members to constitute a quorum were not present when the day's session opened at 10 a.m.
Under House rules, Craddick explained to members, members are required to remain in the hallways of the House "pending the arrival of other members."
Craddick told members to please remain in the hallways. "The Sergeant will not permit you to leave without a permission slip signed by me," said Craddick.
A number of House Democrats have successfully staged a walkout that left the House without a quorum, which shuts down legislative action.
Major bills must be out of the House by Thursday at midnight.
There has been no word on how long the Democratic members will be no-shows. Weekend rumors were that they would not be back until after the Thursday midnight deadline. However, the excused absence letters they sent to the House Parliamentarian this morning were only for today's date.