Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is suggesting that his Republican colleagues should borrow a page from the playbook of Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block the passage of a controversial voting bill.

During an appearance on Fox News’ ā€œSunday Morning Futures,ā€ Graham said, ā€œIf for some reason they pass reconciliation a budget resolution to bring that bill to the floor of the United States Senate, the $3.5 trillion bill, you gotta have a quorum to pass a bill in the Senate. I would leave before I’d let that happen.ā€

ā€œSo to my Republican colleagues, we may learn something from our Democratic friends in Texas when it comes to avoiding $3.5 trillion tax and spend package. Leave town,ā€ he continued.

When asked if he would leave the nation’s capital to block the package of the spending bill, Graham said, ā€œHey, Vice President Harris, if you think these people are heroes, well then I expect you to show up and pat us on the back. Hell yeah, I would leave.ā€

ā€œI will use everything lawfully in my toolbox to prevent rampant inflation. A $3.5 trillion infrastructure package that’s got nothing to do with infrastructure that is a tax and spend dream of the socialist left, if it takes me not showing up to stop that I will do it,ā€ he added.

Watch the video below:

Last week, more than 50 Democratic Texas state lawmakers left the state in an effort to block Republicans from passing a controversial voting law by denying them a quorum — the number of lawmakers required to be present to conduct business.

Congressional Democrats are currently considering passing a $3.5 trillion infrastructure package through a process known as budget reconciliation which would let them pass the legislation with just 50 votes, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

Advertisement

The Senate is currently split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, meaning every Democrat would have to vote for the spending bill for it to pass through reconciliation.

According to the Senate’s website, ā€œArticle I, section 5 of the Constitution requires that a quorum (51 senators) be present for the Senate to conduct business.ā€

ā€œOften, fewer than 51 senators are present on the floor, but the Senate presumes a quorum unless a roll call vote or quorum call suggests otherwise,ā€ it added.