Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) held the floor of the Texas Senate for 15 hours in a move to delay a vote on Senate Bill 1, the scurrilous Republican legislation that would restrict voting rights and ensure that the state's Republican politicians would remain in power in upcoming elections. During her filibuster, Sen. Alvarado was not allowed to take a bathroom break, drink or eat, or lean against any object. The Texas Tribune reports that Alvarado wore a back brace and tennis shoes during her 15 hour marathon. Following her stand, with the Senate controlled overwhelmingly by Republicans, they voted to approve the bill that would entrench themselves in power.
The Texas House Democrats blocked the bill from reaching their body by walking out several weeks ago, denying the Republicans a quorum. In an attempt to ram their anti-democratic bill through the House, the Republican leader issued arrest warrants for the 52 Democrats who are still boycotting the session.
(photo: Sen. Carol Alvarado in the last hour of her filibuster. Miguel Gutierrez Jr./ Texas Tribune)
