Texas "Voter ID" bill clears first hurdle after contentious public hearing

[derby378]

Exhausted after an all-night debate but assured of victory, Republicans won their first Senate vote Wednesday on a bill that would impose tougher identification requirements on Texas voters.

The public hearing on the legislation literally went around the clock as senators heard from expert witnesses and a handful of average citizens who found themselves unexpectedly spending the night in the Senate gallery for a chance to speak out until a three-minute buzzer rang. More than 100 who had signed up to testify, unable to stay the 20-plus hours that most endured, left before their names were called.

No one was surprised that a special Senate panel, which includes all 31 senators and Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, approved the legislation along straight party lines in a 20-12 vote just before 10 a.m. It was, as one Democratic senator observed, a "foregone conclusion."

Wednesday's vote all but assures it will pass and be sent to the House as early as Monday.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6305286.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. I want some Texas justice. Hang them all!!