AWOL Texas Democrats missing milestones

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- They have missed important family birthdays, time with new babies and the hospitalization of parents, but Democratic state senators who fled to New Mexico to boycott congressional redistricting say they are resolved in their protest.

Away from home, her children and husband, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte missed an announcement by her 21-year-old son that he plans to join the lay ministry, the first step in becoming a priest.

"It was pretty emotional for me ... I'm not there for this incredibly momentous occasion in my son's life," said Van de Putte, a mother of six. "The mommy in me, you know, is guilty because I wasn't there at the time."

The Senate Democratic Caucus chairwoman and 10 other Democrats have been staying at a Marriott hotel in Albuquerque since fleeing the Texas Capitol on July 28.

Their absence has forced a standstill in the Senate and frustrated Republicans eager to pass a redistricting bill. The measure likely would give Republicans a majority in the congressional delegation dominated 17-15 now by Democrats under boundaries drawn by federal judges after lawmakers failed to come up with a map in 2001.

The Democrats' self-imposed exile has not drawn sympathies from Republicans, who last week sent them a care package containing diapers, baby rattles and pacifiers.

"We hope that these behavior-appropriate items make the Democrats a little more comfortable while they are AWOL from their elected duties," Texas GOP chairwoman Susan Weddington said.

Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the Senate, has accused the Democrats, outnumbered in the Texas Senate 19-12, of breaking the Texas Constitution by blocking a quorum. He warned Tuesday that he may turn to legal action to force them to return to Texas.

The Democrats say they will stay in New Mexico for the duration of the second session.