Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced plans to begin legal proceedings Friday to remove House Democrats who fled the state to block a Republican redistricting vote. The lawmakers left for states like Illinois and New York to break quorum and stall a Trump-backed congressional map that would give the GOP five more seats.
Paxton claims the lawmakers abandoned their duties and can be removed through court-filed quo warranto actions, though the process is expected to be lengthy and face legal challenges. If successful, Gov. Greg Abbott would call special elections to fill any vacated seats.
Abbott has petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to expedite removal, targeting Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu directly. Democrats, however, argue that quorum-breaking is allowed under the Texas Constitution and have vowed to resist what they call a political overreach.
Sen. John Cornyn added pressure by requesting the FBI arrest the lawmakers for violating their oath of office. Trump supported potential federal action, saying the FBI “may have to” intervene.
Democrats say they are fighting to uphold voter rights and reject GOP gerrymandering efforts, with DNC Chair Ken Martin saying, “This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather. We’re bringing a knife to a knife fight.”
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