AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Democrats appear to be at odds over strategy after three more members returned to the House floor Thursday. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Democrats return gave the chamber a quorum for the first time since the majority of the caucus fled to D.C.

  • Some Democrats are standing firm and not returning

  • Others said that the next phase of this fight is in Austin

Their return gave the chamber a quorum for the first time since the majority of the caucus fled to D.C. to kill a GOP elections bill at the start of the first special session. 

“I'm devastated because I can tell you with all absolute certainty that my Democratic colleagues have just hurt all of Texas," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas. 

“At the end of the day this is still a family. Families have disagreements and we have a disagreement on tactics," said Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston. "But this is not an individual sport… we all have to work together in order to achieve our goal.” 

Several members of the caucus are questioning the legitimacy of Thursday’s quorum. The Texas Tribune reported that not all of the representatives counted as present Thursday were on the floor, though they had appeared in the chamber in recent days. 

“What the Republicans have done is they’ve put this lie out and said, ‘Oh we have a quorum’… and then they gaveled out and said we’re going to be out until Monday," said Rep. Johnson. "I want to count the numbers for that House floor… it’s easy to simply call for strict enforcement, and if they have the numbers then so be it.” 

Some Democrats are standing firm and not returning.

“I refuse to be a party to what's about to happen and you can mark my words, none of it is going to be good," said Rep. Crockett. 

Others said that the next phase of this fight is in Austin.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that all 99 of those members who were voted present yesterday will be physically on the floor on Monday. So the reality is quorum has been reestablished and it's time for us to all stand together. I am confident that every single one of my Democratic colleagues, regardless of disagreements about tactics, are acting, based on our shared values," said Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Kyle. ​

With the legislature now able to resume business, Democrats said they still see their quorum break as a victory.

“We blocked that first session of Republican anti-voter bills and we used that time to effectively advance the conversation nationally around the need for federal voting rights protections," said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington. 

“Lobbying Congress feels like putting your hands up against a boulder and praying it'll move, and our wildest hopes were fulfilled. That boulder is rolling," said Zwiener. 

Despite the caucus’ split over strategy, Turner said he’s hopeful the fight will continue 

“All 66 of our members are completely united and determined to do all we can to fight the anti voter bills, and all of Abbott’s red meat priority list.”