Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) have taken legal action to enforce arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum and block Republican-backed redistricting legislation.
In response, Speaker Burrows issued civil arrest warrants under the authority granted by Article III, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution and Rule 5, Section 8 of the Texas House rules. These provisions allow for the arrest of absent members to compel their attendance during a call of the House.
“The members who fled have been given ample time and opportunity to return on their own accord,” said Burrows. “Because they have continued to refuse their responsibilities... the State has no choice but to pursue additional legal remedies.”
The House formally requested assistance from the Office of the Attorney General to enforce the warrants. Paxton and Burrows are now pursuing legal action to "domesticate" the warrants in Illinois, where many of the absent lawmakers are currently located. If successful, this could authorize their arrest and return to Texas.
“We are pursuing every legal remedy at our disposal to hold these rogue legislators accountable,” said Paxton. “Texas deserves representatives who do their jobs instead of running away at the behest of their billionaire handlers.”
The lawmakers left the state to block a redistricting proposal that could expand Republican control in Texas congressional districts. Their absence has also halted other legislative priorities, including disaster relief for flood victims.
Speaker Burrows emphasized the urgency of restoring quorum, “Our full focus is on stopping this dereliction of duty... so we may return our time, attention and resources where they most matter.”
