AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — One month after catastrophic flooding devastated Central Texas, a slate of disaster preparedness bills advanced through a Texas House committee Tuesday, but may never reach a final vote.

Why? The Texas House still lacks a quorum.

Democratic lawmakers continue to boycott the second special legislative session, protesting Republican redistricting plans backed by Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump.

Without enough members present on the House floor, no legislation—flood-related or otherwise—can be passed.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Republicans placed the blame squarely on Democrats.

“This work is too important to wait on the political games to get over with,” said State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian). “This committee will continue to do the work we are expected to do.”

The bills discussed include:

• Mandating flood evacuation plans for campgrounds
• Creating penalties for fraudulent fundraising after disasters
• Funding improvements to emergency communication systems in flood-prone areas

“It’s great to see the flashing lights and the shiny trucks,” King added. “But when no one can talk to each other—it didn’t do us much good.”

Texas House Speaker Pro Tem Dustin Burrows (R–Lubbock) echoed the urgency in a Fox News interview Tuesday morning.

“We have very important things on the call—including taking care of flood victims,” Burrows said.

But Democrats say it’s misleading to suggest Republicans have prioritized flood recovery. They argue the ruling party waited until mid-session to seriously consider flood bills after holding nearly ten hearings on redistricting and only three on flood legislation.

“It’s so disingenuous. It’s so hypocritical,” said Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D–Houston). “This entire time, all that’s been going on is around redistricting.”

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Democrats say they were ready to work on flood mitigation from the start of the session, but accuse Republicans of leveraging the tragedy to push political goals.

“We wanted to come work on disaster mitigation and flood relief,” Rosenthal said. “And they refused to do it until after they could enact their scheme.”

That “scheme,” according to Democrats, is an aggressive redrawing of the state’s congressional map to help Republicans flip up to five seats in Washington, a move openly backed by President Trump and national GOP leaders.

“Games shouldn’t be played with this topic,” said Rep. Joe Moody (D–El Paso). “If [flood relief] needs legislation, we will pass it.”

As of Tuesday evening, all flood bills discussed in committee remain pending. Even if they pass out of committee, they cannot be considered by the full House unless enough lawmakers return to restore quorum.