Abbott threatens to keep Texas Dems out of state for ‘years’ in map fight

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has escalated pressure on Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block his redistricting plan. He warned that officials could keep them out for years.

Abbott said law enforcement officials will arrest the Democrats and take them to the capital if they set foot back in Texas.

Call for special sessions

Abbott also threatened to keep calling special sessions until Republicans get their way. Here’s what he said on Fox News Sunday:

“This could literally last years because in Texas, I’m authorized to call a special session every 30 days. And as soon as this one is over, I’m going to call another one. Then another one. Then another one. Then another one. If they show back up in the state of Texas, they will be arrested and taken to the capital. If they want to evade arrest, they’re going to stay out of Texas for literally years.”

— Gov. Greg Abbott, Fox News Sunday

FBI says it’ll help Texas law enforcement

Abbott’s comments come after the FBI responded to Sen. John Cornyn’s, R-Texas, request for assistance in locating Texas Democrats.

FBI director Kash Patel approved the request on Thursday, Aug. 7, just days after the Texas House of Representatives approved arrest warrants for the Texas Democrats currently out of state.

Democrats’ efforts to deny a quorum

Democrats have confined themselves to blue states such as Illinois and Massachusetts, attempting to delay Abbott’s efforts to redraw congressional districts to benefit Republicans.

There are 51 Democrats currently out of the state, therefore denying the legislature a quorum. Without a quorum, the Texas legislature cannot vote to approve a new congressional map that Republicans hope will give them five new seats in the 2026 midterm elections. 

Response from New York

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, ready to push back in her state, called Abbott’s stance hypocritical.

“I want to call out the hypocrisy of the Republicans who are now whining about the fact that we’re doing something in New York. Where was the outrage when Donald Trump told Texas, ‘Go find me 5 more seats?’ C’mon, people aren’t gonna buy this,” Hochul said.

Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

Ella Greene

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