By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor

Valentine’s Day and Sing Song stress took their toll on Students’ Association Congress on Wednesday, when only 27 members attended the meeting – exactly enough to make the quorum, but not enough to pass anything since two-thirds of Congress (36 members) must vote on important issues. The meeting was adjourned after announcements.

When the 2007 spring budget was submitted to Congress, 39 members attended the meeting. On Feb. 7, 35 members attended to appoint new members and approve resignations.

SA executive president Maher Saab challenged Congress members to “fulfill the position with integrity” by attending meetings and fulfilling office hour requirements. Members can miss up to four meetings and scheduled office hours before they will be impeached.

Saab said attendance typically decreases in the spring as students look forward to the summer. To counter the trend, Saab said communication through e-mails and announcements will increase.

“We should have 40 people every night,” he said.

Saab said most members are “solid and faithful,” including representatives who are studying abroad this semester. Hallie Roberts, chief developmental officer, said elected representatives who are abroad keep in touch and up-to-date and vote with absentee ballots.

Beginning Wednesday and continuing next week, students can send postcards to the Texas House of Representatives, asking representatives to vote in favor of making textbooks tax free for the first two weeks. SA is supporting the project, and postcards will be available in the ticket window.