Texas Democrats face growing pressure to return to the state as Republicans push to restore a quorum and advance key legislative measures Friday. Dozens of Democrats fled Texas earlier this week to block a special session agenda, including redrawing voting maps that could give Republicans five additional House seats. The session also aims to address funding for flooding victims and other issues, CBS 12 reported.<\/p>\n
To compel their return, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows issued a memo requiring absent lawmakers to collect paychecks in person, suspending direct deposits until a quorum is restored. On Thursday, the FBI agreed to assist in locating the fleeing Democrats, according to U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who requested the agency\u2019s involvement to support state law enforcement.<\/p>\n
More than 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas, many traveling to Chicago to halt redistricting votes and freeze legislative activity. Their departure also helped them avoid potential arrests by state authorities. Cornyn praised the FBI\u2019s cooperation, calling the Democrats \u201crogue legislators\u201d avoiding constitutional responsibilities.<\/p>\n
President Trump acknowledged the situation, saying the lawmakers \u201cmay have to\u201d return, emphasizing the importance of fighting legislative battles and participating in elections. However, legal experts warn that federal involvement could spark a constitutional crisis, as the Democrats face civil\u2014not criminal\u2014charges under Texas House rules, limiting FBI authority to arrest them.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has set a Friday deadline for Democrats to return or face legal action and has filed to remove Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu from office. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered their return by Monday or face arrest and possible removal, directing the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers to act.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Texas Democrats face growing pressure to return to the state as Republicans push to restore a quorum and advance key legislative measures Friday. Dozens of Democrats fled… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n