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Runaway Texas Dems in DC slammed for requesting ‘care packages’ of soda, candy, salsa

It appears “roughing it” at their three-star Washington, DC, hotel may have been too taxing on the Texas Democrats who fled their home state.

A Dallas-based group with ties to some of the lawmakers claimed over the weekend that the rogue Democrats have asked for “care packages from home” with items readily available in the nation’s capital.

In a tweet, the Dallas County Democratic Party wrote that it was collecting “Dr. Pepper, salsa, hard candy, hairspray, travel toiletries, hand sanitizers, sewing kits, first aid” as well as cash to pay for shipping.

The group — which has not taken the tweet down in three days since beginning to face bipartisan backlash — was met with immediate criticism over the post.

“No Miller Lite?” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sarcastically asked, making reference to the 24-pack seen on a bus with the lawmakers ahead of their private plane ride to DC.

“Not only have they taken a vacation to avoid doing their job, now they want you to help pay for it,” former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley tweeted.

Texas Rep. Chris Turner (4th L) is joined by Democratic members of the Texas House and Senate during a news conference
A Dallas-based group with ties to some of the lawmakers claimed over the weekend that the rogue Democrats have asked for “care packages from home.” Getty Images

“This is so embarrassing.”

Jenna Ellis, a former legal adviser to former President Donald Trump, asked a question on everyone’s mind who has been to DC: “They can’t get all that at CVS?”

The group of 50 Democrats flew to the nation’s capital earlier this month to press Congress to pass federal election reform legislation that would supersede the Texas election reform bill they’re avoiding as well as other election integrity laws in states like Georgia.

The Texas state Senate approved the sweeping bill at the time, just one day after dozens of House Democrats fled the state to prevent the chamber from taking up the legislation.

The state Senate approved the bill on an 18-4 party-line vote. Nine Senate Democrats had joined 51 of their House colleagues in hightailing it to Washington, though this was not enough to deny the upper chamber a quorum.

Rev. John J. Nicholas Jr., pastor at St. John's Baptist Church, applauds the efforts of the  Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TxLBC) during a news conference about voting rights at Unity Baptist Church on July 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Rev. John J. Nicholas Jr., pastor at St. John’s Baptist Church, applauds the efforts of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus during a news conference about voting rights at Unity Baptist Church on July 26, 2021, in Washington, DC. Getty Images

However, the legislation is now stalled due to the lack of a quorum in the House.

Many on the left have said the bill would make it harder for poor people and minorities to cast ballots.

Republicans, meanwhile, have said the measures in the bill are designed to ensure the integrity of the vote by preventing voter fraud.

The trip, which is expected to cost upwards of $1.5 million, is being funded by a host of donors, including Beto O’Rourke — a Democrat who represented Texas in the House until losing a 2018 challenge to incumbent Cruz — and music icon Willie Nelson.