Republican Governor Greg Abbott has dropped the hammer on the Texas House Democrats who fled the state to block a critical redistricting vote.
Gov. Abbott has warned the Democrat lawmakers they must return by Monday afternoon or face arrest and expulsion.
The Texas Democrats, a group of dozens, arrived in Chicago on Sunday night in a last-ditch attempt to stall the vote.
Their dramatic departure came just as Abbott sent out a defiant message, stating that they must return or risk losing their positions.
The Texas House is scheduled to reconvene at 3 p.m. on Monday.
Abbott made it clear that the state’s constitution allows him to swiftly remove any member who forfeits their office by abandoning their duties.
“Real Texans don’t run from a fight,” Abbott declared, slamming the Democrat lawmakers for abandoning their duty and depriving the Texas House of the necessary quorum to conduct business.
With a majority of 100 out of 150 members required for the House to meet, Abbott argued the Democrats were failing in their responsibilities by fleeing the state to prevent the vote.
The issue at hand is a controversial redistricting proposal that would potentially secure five new GOP U.S. House seats in the upcoming midterms.
Democrats have branded the proposal a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”
However, Abbott quickly rebuffed the claim, calling it a baseless attack on the integrity of the redistricting process.
In response, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a sharp retort, simply stating: “Come and take it.”
Abbott’s threat was not just about the removal of lawmakers from office.
The governor made it clear that anyone involved in fundraising efforts to help the fleeing lawmakers avoid the fines they would incur for missing the vote could also face criminal charges.
In his statement, Abbott cited the Texas Penal Code, warning that soliciting or accepting funds to bypass legislative duties could lead to felony charges, including bribery.
“Any Democrat who solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties will be in direct violation of the law,” Abbott declared.
He added that the state would use its full extradition authority to ensure any lawmakers who have left Texas are returned to face their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker came to the Democrats’ defense, praising the lawmakers for abandoning their duties.
Pritzker characterized the redistricting as an effort by Republicans to suppress votes.
Speaking at a news conference in Chicago, Pritzker argued that the Texas redistricting effort was designed to silence “millions of voices, especially black and Latino voters.”
Rep. Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, echoed similar sentiments.
Wu claims that the Democrats had been left with no other choice.
“We’re not here to play political games,” Wu stated.
“We’re here to demand an end to this corrupt process.”
The Texas redistricting battle is set to continue to heat up as the state’s legislature reconvenes.
For now, the spotlight remains on the Democrats who fled the state.
Abbott’s warning will be ringing in their ears as the clock ticks toward the 3 p.m. Monday deadline.
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