Texas state senators pass governor's agenda while state House is stalled

The Texas Legislature's special session remains stymied by the departure of several state House Democrats to Washington, D.C., whose absence left Republicans without a quorum. But while the House's work has been frozen, the GOP-controlled Senate has been working away, passing legislation during Texas Governor Greg Abbott's special session. 

Nine Senate Democrats initially joined their House colleagues in Washington, but four others stayed in Austin, which meant enough members were present to form a quorum and vote on legislation. Since the session began, lawmakers have tackled key conservative issues, such as elections, bail reform, transgender sports and critical race theory.  "Our folks have put in two weeks of work in about one week, so our members are standing down," Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who also serves as president of the Senate, told reporters on Wednesday. "They're on five-hour notice to be at the Capitol, should the Democrats come back."