Democrats in Texas have taken to extreme measures to prevent Republicans in the state from redistricting the State’s congressional map.
In response to the move by the Democrats, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has promised to remove the lawmakers who skip the special session.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
AUSTIN, Texas—Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to remove state House Democrats from office—or charge them with felonies—after dozens of members fled the state Sunday to thwart Republican plans to redraw the state’s congressional map to gain five new GOP seats.
Abbott called a special session of the state legislature at the request of President Trump to change the map and add the seats. Dozens of Democrats left the state Sunday in an attempt to deny the GOP a quorum and prevent the House from meeting.
The 30-day special session started July 21, with the new maps presented last week.
Democrats have argued that the unusual mid-decade redistricting amounts to cheating, while Republicans have called it fair game and necessary to hold its national majority. Trump said in July that he wanted Republicans to pick up five more House seats in Texas after redistricting ahead of the midterm elections.
The democrats in the state have fled to states like Illinois and New York, some of the worst offenders of gerrymandering in favor of democrats.
🚨 BREAKING: Governor Greg Abbott just said the Dems who fled the state to block a quorum for redistricting may face a "SECOND DEGREE FELONY" bribery charge.
FAFO TIME.
"It would be BRIBERY…these legislators sought money to skip the vote."pic.twitter.com/UrnJAlo0iU
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 4, 2025
Abbott also said a legislator determined to have “forfeited his or her office due to abandonment” can be removed from office under the Texas Constitution, thereby creating a vacancy, which the governor can “swiftly fill” under Article III, Section 13.
Removal from office is not the only threat facing the lawmakers on the run, as Abbott warned that “soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules” is potentially a felony.
“Any Democrat who ‘solicits, accepts or agrees to accept’ such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws,” he wrote, citing the Texas Penal Code. He added that anyone who “offers, confers or agrees to confer” money to the fleeing lawmakers could also face charges.
See Abbott’s Declaration HERE.
Abbott has classified the Democrats as felons and as such says he has extradition autority as Governor to demand the return of the “felon” lawmakers.
If the resolution to change the districts in Texas passes in the legislature, Fox reports, traditional Democrat areas like Dallas and Houston would shift in favor of Republicans.
One person who could be affected is US Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Tx) who would be moved out of her own district.
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A ticking time-bomb set by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to Hurt ElectionsThey Must Be Stopped! |
