By: Tadi Abedje

The arrest warrants of the 52 House Democrats were signed by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. It was a decision to try to get the quorum that is required to advance legislation. The House voted 80 to 12 in favor to request that law enforcement look for lawmakers who didn’t show up to the chamber. 

RELATED: Texas Democrats Who Blocked Voter Suppression Bill Can’t Be Arrested, Says Judge

The order came from Governor Greg Abbott who wants to get voting rights legislation passed for his state. In the legislation, there would be limits to voting rights, such as getting rid of mailboxes for mail-in ballots, drive-thru voting and absentee ballots, according to an Associated Press article. 

RELATED: Greg Abbott to Hold Special Session in Texas Regarding Voting Rights

As a result of the legislation, a huge number of Texas Democrats took a stand by breaking quorum and leaving the state. They went to Washington, D.C., to take a stand against the GOP’s bill, which they describe as voter suppression against people of color. 

RELATED: Texas Democrats Head to DC to Prevent Restrictive Voting Bill From Being Passed

Reactions to the arrest warrants being signed were predictably disappointment, especially from representative Celia Israel. 

“If the Department of Public Safety comes to my house, they cannot come into my house. I have not committed a crime. Every day we’re denying quorum, in my view, is a good day,” she said in a Spectrum News article. 

However, these Democrats are getting support from groups like Planned Parenthood Texas Votes and the Texas Organizing Project to stand their ground. 

“To every pro-democracy Texas lawmaker: the only way to preserve our right to vote and the best way to fight is to stay off the House floor,” they said in a Common Dreams article. 

If they are arrested, the Democrats will not have any criminal charges on their record.