In a bold move, at least 51 Texas Democrats have left the state to avoid voting on redistricting, despite facing threats of arrest, criminal charges, and removal from office.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he will continue to call special sessions of the Texas Legislature “for literally years” until the Democrats return to cast their votes on redistricting.
“I’m authorized to call a special session every 30 days, each lasting 30 days. As soon as this one concludes, I’ll call another, and then another, and so on,” Abbott stated during an August 10 interview on “Fox News Sunday,” amid the ongoing standoff with the absent Democrats.
The Democrats are opposing a potential vote in the Republican-controlled Legislature that aims to advance redrawn congressional maps, which are anticipated to bolster the Republican majority in Texas's federal House delegation for the upcoming midterm elections. According to the Texas state Constitution, at least two-thirds of lawmakers must be present to conduct official business.
If the Democrats return, they risk arrest and mandatory attendance at the Legislature, pending negotiations with Texas Republicans on the matter.
Abbott, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has warned of arrests and possible criminal charges for those who do not return. He emphasized his commitment to these threats, stating, “If they come back to Texas, they will be arrested and taken to the Capitol. If they wish to avoid arrest, they will have to remain outside of Texas for literally years.”
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