Texas Senate passes GOP voting bill that prompted House Dems to flee state

The Texas Senate voted 18-4 Tuesday to approve a Republican-backed voting bill, sending it to the House, which is at a standstill after 51 Texas Democrats fled the state to stop the legislation, the Texas Tribune reports.

Catch up quick: Texas Democrats flew to Washington, D.C., Monday night in a bid to prevent quorum and block Republicans from passing the voting restrictions.

• Texas House Republicans voted Tuesday to track down and force the Democrats to return to the legislature "under warrant of arrest if necessary."

The big picture: Although the Texas Senate approved the bill, it will languish in the House unless Democrats return before the special session ends in August and the chamber reaches quorum.

• Of note: Eight Senate Democrats also fled to D.C. on Tuesday in an unsuccessful effort to prevent quorum in the chamber, per the Texas Tribune.

Go deeper: Texas Democrats who fled state urge Congress to pass voting rights legislation