Texas House advances voting bill that Democrats fled state to protest

Driving the news: The Texas House on Thursday night passed a nearly 50-page bill on a 79-37 party-line vote. It includes measures limiting early voting hours, banning drive-thru voting and other measures critics say will raise new barriers for marginalized voters, the Texas Tribune reports.

• The legislation is a slightly revised version of the Republican bill that first sparked a walk-out by Democrats in the legislature, followed by a nearly six-week absence from the Capitol.

Catch up quick: Texas Democrats fled the state in July to protest the proposed GOP-led restrictions, flying to D.C. to urge federal action on voting rights.

• A sufficient number of Democrats returned last week to reach quorum in the state Capitol — days after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that House Democrats could be arrested if they don't attend the Capitol.

What to watch: During Friday's vote, the House approved their own version of the bill. Now, the Senate and the House must resolve their differences to present a final legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), per the Tribune.

• Abbott says he will sign the measure that will likely reach his desk by early September at the latest, per AP.

Go deeper: 38-day Texas House standoff ends after Democrats' return

Editor's note: This post has been updated with new information on the final House approval of the bill.