A filibuster is still underway in the Texas Senate Thursday morning.
Senator Carol Alvarado, a Democrat representing the Houston area, entered her fifteenth hour on the floor at about 8 a.m.
Alvarado, who is trying to block the Republican-led elections bill, began her filibuster just before 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to Texas Democrats, the bill is designed to suppress votes as it would restrict vote-by-mail, eliminate drive-thru and 24-hour voting, and empower poll watchers.
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The filibuster requires a lawmaker to stand and speak continuously.
It is unclear how long Alvarado will continue, though she acknowledged that her efforts were unlikely to stop the sweeping elections bill from passing.
The Republicans have increased their efforts to end the standoff over bill that has continued for 32 days.
Texas Politics
Covering politics in the Lone Star State.
Alvarado’s filibuster began just hours after officers of the Texas House of Representatives delivered civil arrest warrants for more than 50 absent Democrats on Wednesday.
The NAACP stepped in on behalf of the Texas Democrats, asking the Justice Department to investigate whether a federal crime was committed when Republicans threatened to have them arrested.
Refusing to attend legislative sessions is a violation of House rules. It is a civil offense, not a criminal one, making it unclear whether the warrants carry the power to get Democrats back to the chamber. The Democrats would not face jail time.
Texas is one of several states where Republicans have rushed to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
