Texas legislature begins second special session amid continued quorum standoff

The 89th Texas Legislature reconvened Friday for a second special session, just hours after the first session ended abruptly due to a two-week quorum break by House Democrats.

The initial special session, called by Gov. Greg Abbott, was scheduled to run until August 23. However, it adjourned sine die on August 19 after House Democrats left the chamber to block a vote on congressional redistricting. Their absence left the House below the 100-member minimum required for a quorum, effectively stalling legislative action.

When the second session began at noon Friday, only 97 members were present, still three short of a quorum. House leadership announced the chamber will reconvene at 10 a.m. Saturday, with hopes of reaching a full quorum by Monday.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) addressed members before adjourning for the day, suggesting the delay might ultimately benefit Republicans. “They have allowed us to reset the clock,” Burrows said, citing priorities such as property tax relief, restrictions on abortion medication, protections for women’s private spaces, and limits on local taxation.

In a private meeting with GOP colleagues, Burrows indicated he expects quorum to be restored on Monday, with immediate committee work to follow. He expressed hope that the Legislature could complete Gov. Abbott’s agenda before Labor Day.

Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston), one of the Democrats who staged the quorum break, confirmed she plans to return, pointing to what she described as the “collapse” of Abbott’s first special session. She also referenced California’s efforts to challenge Texas’ congressional redistricting by adjusting its own maps.

Abbott’s agenda for the second session mirrors the 18 items outlined in the first, including congressional redistricting, disaster recovery funding, a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, and the elimination of the STAAR test. In addition, Abbott added measures related to “camp safety” following the deaths of 27 children in a July 4 flood at a Central Texas summer camp.

On Thursday, Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker Burrows met with the parents of the victims, referred to as “Heaven’s 27,” pledging stronger safety standards for youth camps. The meeting underscored a sense of urgency among lawmakers to enact safety regulations before the session concludes.

The standoff over quorum and the timing of the sessions has highlighted partisan tensions in Austin. House Democrats had insisted that the first session conclude on Friday and that California proceed with its redistricting efforts before they would return. Abbott criticized the move, asserting that Texans were left waiting for critical relief.

“Because of their dereliction of duty, Texas families and communities impacted by the catastrophic Fourth of July flooding have been delayed critical resources for relief and recovery,” Abbott said in a statement. “We will not back down from this fight.”

The political impasse has created a compressed timeline for the Legislature. Lawmakers now face the challenge of advancing a lengthy and contentious agenda in just a few weeks, with a combination of high-stakes policy issues and emotionally charged matters, such as disaster response and camp safety, on the docket.

Observers note that the second special session will test the ability of lawmakers to navigate partisan divisions while addressing pressing issues affecting Texas families. With quorum still pending, leadership faces uncertainty about how quickly bills can move through committees and reach the House floor for votes.

As the session continues, all eyes will be on whether Democrats return and whether Republicans can achieve their legislative priorities before the end of August. For now, the state remains in a holding pattern, with the outcome of the session uncertain and the pressure to act mounting.