Composition of the Texas Senate 1961-2021
The Republican ascendency of the 1990s appears to have plateaued. Will Dan Patrick’s majority continue to decline?
Further reducing the suspension threshold to bring a bill to the floor could be favorable to the Senate Democrats’ long-term interests. Even a narrow Democratic majority would be able to make significant policy changes with minimal Republican support.
As the rules currently stand, Senate Republicans can suspend the rules with 5/9 of members present to bring bills to the floor without Democrat support.
However, Senate Republicans lack a majority large enough to sustain a quorum without some Democrats present. If the Republicans attempt to pass something that is unacceptable to Democrats, they have the ability to temporarily block the legislation by breaking quorum.