Texas Gov. Threatens Dems Who Fled State With Arrest

A political standoff is escalating in Texas as Republicans push to redraw congressional districts in their favor.

In protest, Democratic lawmakers have fled the state to prevent a quorum and block the redistricting vote—but they now face potential removal from office or even arrest if they fail to return by Monday afternoon.

Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has invoked a state law allowing him to expel the absent members from the Texas House if they don’t return by 3 p.m. Monday, and has also threatened them with felony charges. “These absences are not merely unintended and unavoidable interruptions in public service, like a sudden illness or a family emergency,” Abbott said earlier Monday. “Instead, these absences were premeditated for an illegitimate purpose …”

Abbott accused the absent Democratic lawmakers of “soliciting funds” to avoid potential fines from the Texas House, claiming that such fundraising efforts could amount to bribery since the money is being used to help them evade legislative votes. “I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons,” Abbott said.

Rep. Sheryl Cole, who represents Texas House District 46, posted a photo on social media Sunday showing herself boarding a flight to Chicago, announcing she was leaving the state “to stop this rigged redistricting process.”

Democrats say their absence is a strategic move to deny the Texas House a quorum—the minimum number of members required to conduct legislative business. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas over the weekend, vowing to remain out of state until the special legislative session concludes in two weeks, the Washington Times reported.