Democratic representatives entered the state house Tuesday, Feb. 21, with majority status, and they immediately set to work dismantling Republican-led efforts to amend legislation for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Three Pittsburgh-area seats were recently won in special elections, giving Democrats a 102-101 majority and sway over a piece of legislation designed to let victims of childhood abuse file lawsuits previously outdated.

The goal is to put the matter to a final House vote later this week.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-100th, and the Republican caucus berated Democratic Speaker Mark Rozzi, D-126th, with a variety of floor maneuvers before the Democratic majority forced a vote approving special rules to aid the passage of the two-year lawsuit window.

Rozzi has made it clear since his contentious election on Jan. 3 that the House will not start work until the legislation is approved. The House has not yet enacted rules or begun work for the regular two-year session that began last month.

The GOP-ruled Senate passed the legislation last month as a constitutional amendment — but packaged it with legislation to expand voter ID requirements and make it easier to overturn regulations enacted by the governor. This move brought the ire of many Democrats and ultimately resulted in Rozzi canceling sessions for the house until Monday, Feb. 27.

The special session on Feb. 21 set the stage for another special session Thursday, Feb. 23. Democrats are now looking to pass the legislation as both a regular bill and as an amendment to the state constitution, as the Senate did.

If the bill passes in both chambers, it could become law as soon the governor signs it. A constitutional change would need to be approved by voters, in November at the earliest.

Eagle staff writer Austin Uram contributed to this report.