Strict Party Line Vote

Governor expected to sign Bill soon after reconciliation

From KERA Radio - Dallas:

On Thursday the Texas House joined the Senate in adopting a republican-backed voter ID bill.

Bills requiring Texans to show an approved photo when they vote failed during the two previous sessions. But republicans now outnumber democrats two-to-one in the House and they easily pushed this bill through with a party line vote of 101-48.

Differences between the House and Senate bills must now be reconciled. Governor Rick Perry urged both chambers to act quickly so he can sign the legislation.

Mark Hutcherson blogs at Waco News Beat:

As Democrats in the Texas Senate tried to find ways to block "Voter ID" from becoming law, it became clear to me that what they were really trying to do was find a way to keep illegal people voting in elections in Texas. There is no valid reason why a person should not be required to show a valid photo ID when they vote. We all show a legal ID every time we cash a check or even when entering a nightclub on Friday night.

Only a fool or someone who hopes to gain the votes of an illegal immigrant would oppose such a simple and good law.