Texas Democrats are facing increasing pressure to return to the state as Republicans strive to achieve a quorum necessary for advancing significant legislative initiatives on Friday.
Earlier this week, numerous state Democrats departed Texas to obstruct a special session agenda that includes the redistricting of voting maps, potentially granting Republicans an additional five House seats. The session is also scheduled to tackle funding for flood victims and other pertinent issues, as reported by CBS 12.
To encourage the return of Democrats to Austin, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows issued a memo to House members mandating that those who broke quorum must collect their paychecks in person. House leaders declared that direct deposits would be halted until a quorum is reinstated, which requires a sufficient number of members to be present to conduct business.
On Thursday, the FBI consented to assist in locating the Texas Democrats who absconded to prevent the House from convening, according to a prominent U.S. senator representing the state.
More than 50 Democratic lawmakers departed Texas on Sunday, with many heading to Chicago, to obstruct a planned vote on redistricting and to freeze all legislative activities during the special session. Their exit also enabled them to evade potential arrest by state law enforcement.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, stated on Tuesday that he had requested FBI Director Kash Patel’s assistance in helping state and local law enforcement find and detain the Democrats.
“I am pleased to announce that Director Kash Patel has granted my request for the FBI to aid state and local law enforcement in locating the runaway Texas House Democrats,” Cornyn remarked.
“I express my gratitude to President Trump and Director Patel for their support and prompt action in response to my appeal for the federal government to hold these alleged lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We must not permit these renegade legislators to evade their constitutional duties,” he added.
During a White House press conference on Wednesday, President Trump was questioned regarding Cornyn’s request.
“They may indeed have to,” he remarked regarding the involvement of the FBI. “I am aware that there is a strong desire for their return. The Governor of Texas is insisting on their return. Consequently, many individuals are calling for their return. One cannot simply abstain from participation. It is imperative to return. It is essential to confront the situation. That is the essence of elections.”
This action, coupled with measures taken by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has prompted political analysts to scrutinize the legality of the situation.
“The difficulty lies in the fact that there exists both a political dimension and a legal dimension to this matter,” stated Joshua Blank from the Texas Politics Project.
Blank emphasized that federal intervention could potentially instigate a constitutional crisis should agents attempt to compel state legislators to return.
Paxton has issued a deadline for Democrats to return to the Capitol by Friday or face legal repercussions. Additionally, he has submitted a petition seeking the removal of Texas House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu from his position.
The Democrats have been accused of a civil violation under Texas House regulations, which experts assert indicates that the FBI lacks constitutional authority to execute arrests in this instance.
However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is contesting Cornyn in an upcoming primary, expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of FBI involvement. “This is a matter for the state. I fail to see what role the FBI would play in this – none. This is strictly a state matter,” he stated during a podcast.
Cornyn responded by asserting that “the FBI possesses resources to assist state law enforcement when individuals cross state lines, including to evade testimony or escape from a crime scene.”
“I am particularly worried that legislators who have solicited or accepted funds to assist in evading their legislative responsibilities may be committing bribery or other forms of public corruption,” he remarked.
On Monday, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, issued civil arrest warrants for the lawmakers who were absent, and by Tuesday, only eight Democrats had made their way back to the Capitol. Governor Greg Abbott mandated that the remaining members return to Austin by Monday or risk arrest and potential removal from their positions.
He ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to apprehend them upon their reentry into the state and instructed the Texas Rangers to look into possible bribery allegations.
