Sen. Gallegos Returns to Senate; Preserves Blockade of Voter ID Bill
Sen. Mario Gallegos was back in the Senate on Monday despite his doctors' advice to remain in Houston while they monitor recent problems with his new liver. His presence on the Senate floor preserved a Democratic blockade of a GOP-backed bill that would require voters to prove their identity before being allowed to vote. If the bill is not approved by the Senate by Wednesday, it is likely dead for the session.
As a precaution, a hospital bed was set up for Mr. Gallegos in a room adjacent to the Senate floor and Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, a family doctor, monitored Mr. Gallegos' health through the day. The Houston Democrat was on the floor at the start of Wednesday's session, giving Republicans a clear signal that the voter ID bill was not moving today.
"It's very important to me," Mr. Gallegos told reporters, saying the issue was critical enough to cause him to risk some medical setbacks by traveling to Austin after undergoing medical tests in Houston on Friday. He also said he believes Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Senate Republicans would bring the voter ID bill to the floor "in a New York second" if he were not present. Mr. Gallegos plans to remain until at least noon on Wedesday, 12 hours before the deadline for all bills to be passed out of the Senate. "They should be able to filibuster it for 12 hours," he said, referring to other Democratic opponents of the measure. All 11 Democrats are against the bill, just enough to block action on the proposal under the Senate's so-called two-thirds rule.
Comments
Texas Dems like Mario Gallegos are the only reason I can still call myself a Democrat. Sometimes I'm so proud of them I want to cry.
They put to shame every Washingtom Democrat who's neck-deep in "buy-partisan" caving on the war, the trade deal and any other form of triangulation they can line up to sell us out with.
Posted by: moiv | May 21, 2007 2:09 PM
This is a national security and election integrity issue so to see Democrats obstructing this bill shows they have no real concern for what our country stands for. What's worse is that they are using one of their own, Sen. Gallegos to prevent passage of this bill. This is disgraceful behavior on the part of democrats in Austin! Despite that, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst could suspend the rules and allow the bill to be voted up or down but he seems to not have the courage of his own convictions!
Posted by: Dan Jaworski | May 21, 2007 4:21 PM
It never ceases to amaze me how any sane, honest, moral person could ever be a democrat! To go to such extreme lengths to block a bill that would eliminate voter fraud speaks volumes about this 'party' and in my mind is an unconscionable act!
Posted by: wayne | May 22, 2007 9:11 AM
The fact that this man would put his health on the line to promote voter fraud shows how low and vile the Democrat party has become. Taxes, HPV, social services, and education cannot rouse Mr. Gallegos, but threaten to prevent Democrat voter fraud and he rises!!
Posted by: Matt | May 22, 2007 2:05 PM
Wow--is anyone else thinking the previous three comments were made by the same person?
Regardless, I'd add to the MANY who have given their kudos to Gallegos. To see someone with such integrity and such convictions really is in a word, refreshing. Way to stick it to the man.
Posted by: Mulva | May 22, 2007 4:51 PM