Topline
The Texas House greenlit a measure Monday directing state police to find and arrest dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state Sunday to block a vote on a congressional redistricting map that could help the GOP secure five additional seats in midterm elections.
The arrest warrants were voted in Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
The arrest warrants apply to over 50 Democrats who left the state, though they can only be enforced within state lines and will not result in civil or criminal charges.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott accused Democrats of “holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief,” saying in a statement the order will remain effective until all missing Democratic House members return to the capitol.
Most Democrats have left to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, according to The Texas Tribune, which noted House members who fled will be issued $500 fines for each day they block a quorum.
Democrats left the state to hinder voting on congressional redistricting that will likely net Republicans another five seats in the U.S. House, where the GOP has a slim majority.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, has alleged the redistricting amounts to “illegal voter suppression of Black and Latino Central Texans,” saying President Donald Trump wants to violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bars racial discrimination in voting.
What To Watch For
Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters Monday his office is “going to do everything we can to protect” the Democratic lawmakers from Texas authorities.
Chief Critic
The Texas House Democratic Caucus accused the GOP of using a special House session to address deadly flooding in Texas last month as “political cover” to vote on the congressional redistricting map. The Caucus blasted Abbott, saying the governor “has turned the victims of a tragedy into political hostages in his submission to Donald Trump.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.