Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to remove Texas House Democrats from office after they fled the state to block a congressional redistricting plan, accusing them of abandoning their constitutional duties and potentially committing felonies.
In a statement released Sunday evening, hours after dozens of House Democrats fled to Illinois to break quorum over a congressional redistricting proposal, Abbott said he will invoke a 2021 attorney general opinion to initiate removal proceedings against those who refuse to return by 3:00 PM on Monday. The opinion allows a court to declare a legislative seat vacant if a lawmaker is found to have abandoned office by intentionally breaking quorum.
“That amounts to an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office,” said Abbott. “It’s not optional. It’s a duty.”
“Real Texans do not run from a fight. But that’s exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did. Rather than doing their job and voting on urgent legislation affecting the lives of all Texans, they have fled Texas to deprive the House of the quorum necessary to meet and conduct business.”
Abbott also warned that lawmakers soliciting or accepting financial help to avoid fines or facilitate their absence may be violating bribery laws.
“I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons,” he said.
The mass departure is the second time in recent years Democrats have left the state to stall Republican priorities, following a 2021 walkout over an election integrity bill.
