Abbott Warns Fleeing Texas Democrats Could Face Arrest for Years

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is turning up the heat on state Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to block a Republican-led redistricting plan, warning they could face arrest “for literally years” if they refuse to return.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Abbott told host Shannon Bream he has the constitutional authority to keep the legislature in special session indefinitely each lasting 30 days until enough lawmakers return to conduct business.

“I’m authorized to call a special session every 30 days. It lasts 30 days. And as soon as this one is over, I’m gonna call another one, then another one, then another, then another one,” Abbott said. “If they show back up in the state of Texas, they will be arrested and taken to the Capitol. If they want to evade that arrest, they’re gonna have to stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years.”

The Democrats roughly 50 of them have been hiding out in states like Illinois and New York, where Democratic governors J.B. Pritzker and Kathy Hochul have rolled out the welcome mat. But Abbott says their absence violates Article 3 of the Texas Constitution, which requires lawmakers to be present to vote on bills.

Abbott’s key points:

• Lawmakers’ absence breaks their constitutional duty and oath of office.

• Legal actions are underway to have absentee Democrats removed from office.

• He may increase Republican redistricting gains if the standoff continues potentially adding six to eight new GOP seats.

With 150 seats in the Texas House, at least 100 members must be present for legislative business. Abbott says skipping work to block legislation isn’t just political theater it’s a dereliction of duty that robs Texans of representation.

“This is not optional,” Abbott said. “They were elected to vote and pass laws. If they can’t do that, they shouldn’t be in office.”

The governor’s escalating threats underscore his determination to bring the standoff to an end by outlasting the Democrats for as long as it takes, even if it means forcing them to remain in political exile for years.

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