Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session in Texas in an attempt to ram legislation that will drastically harm Texans’ freedom to vote -- most pointedly, voters of color -- further tightening the state’s voting rules as the GOP works towards suppressing voters.

In protest of these attacks on voting rights, a majority of Democrats in the Texas House left for Washington, D.C., denying Republicans the quorum needed to pass new voting restrictions in a special legislative session called largely for that purpose. The absent Democrats mean there will not be enough members present to conduct business under House rules.

But this threat to our freedom to vote isn’t just in Texas, and Texas lawmakers arrived in D.C. to make that point clear to Congress.

With the threat of Texas’ efforts to further restrict voting looming, the Texas Democrats will continue pleading with Congress to act on restoring federal protections for voters of color. Their plea is our plea: Congress must pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act in order to ensure voting rights for all Americans.

Across the country, our freedom to vote is currently under attack -- 389 voter suppression bills have been introduced in 48 states this year. GOP politicians are working overtime to ensure voters are disenfranchised.

AND NOW, Governor Abbott is attempting to continue ramming voter suppression laws through by calling a new special session to force the Texas Dems home -- forcing them to choose between returning to the vote or staying away an additional 30 days.

Let's let the TX Dems know we have their back. If they choose to stay away and continue to support our freedom to vote, we will continue to have their back!