Recently in Texas, all Democratic state legislators fled the state in a dramatic political standoff, aiming to block a vote in the Texas legislature on redistricting, which would increase seats favorable to Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In response, Texas Governor Abbott issued an arrest warrant, ordering state police to bring back all the Democratic lawmakers. He also warned that if House Democrats did not return by 3 PM Tuesday, he would declare their seats vacant and arrange replacements.
Last week, Texas Democratic lawmakers escaped en masse, leaving Texas for Illinois, New York, or Massachusetts, thereby preventing a vote on the proposed redistricting changes. Democrats resorted to this tactic because the Republican plan to redraw district lines could further decrease Democratic seats in Texas and is expected to help Republicans retain a majority in the U.S. House during midterm elections, thereby supporting President Trump’s policy agenda.
Warning: Seats Will Be Declared Vacant If They Don't Return
The Texas House voted 85 to 6 in favor of pursuing and arresting more than 50 Democratic legislators on the grounds that they were absent when the House officially convened at 3 PM on Monday.
Texas House Speaker Phelan stated that he would immediately sign civil arrest warrants for each lawmaker, authorizing House security and state police to detain them and bring them to the Capitol.
On Monday, Governor Abbott said in a statement: “To ensure compliance with the rules, I have directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and escort back all state legislators who have abandoned their responsibility to the people of Texas.”
Texas Attorney General Paxton also stated that those Democrats who left the state to block the Republican redistricting plan should “be arrested and brought back.”