Blue State Governor Promises To Shield Texas Dems From Arrest
Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) declared on Sunday that his state would provide protection to Texas Democrats who have relocated to Illinois in opposition to the Republican-led initiatives aimed at redrawing Texas’s congressional districts.
“They are present in Illinois. We will do everything within our power to safeguard each one of them and ensure that — because we recognize they are acting rightly, we understand they are adhering to the law,” Pritzker stated to reporters during a press conference on Sunday evening, which was held alongside the Texas state lawmakers, according to The Hill.
“It is Ken Paxton who fails to adhere to the law. It is the leaders of Texas who are attempting to disregard the law,” he asserted. “They are the ones who must be held accountable.”
Pritzker’s comments came after Texas Democrats made the decision to leave their state to obstruct a quorum — the minimum number of lawmakers necessary to conduct legislative business — during a special session convened by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R).
Abbott called the session to promote a new congressional map intended to provide Republicans with up to five additional seats, a redistricting effort supported by President Trump as the GOP prepares for what could be a challenging midterm election next year.
On Saturday, a Texas House panel approved the proposed congressional maps, paving the way for a full floor vote. With Republicans holding majorities in both legislative chambers and controlling the governor’s office, the maps are anticipated to pass.
In response, Texas Democrats departed the state to hinder the legislative process, primarily traveling to Democratic-led states such as Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts in an attempt to prevent the quorum necessary to advance the redistricting plan.
At the same time, Republican officials in Texas, including Abbott’s office, are exploring options to either compel Democrats to return or to declare them in violation of state laws and vacate their seats.
Furthermore, breaking quorum entails that each legislator will face a daily fine of $500 and the risk of arrest. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a post on X earlier on Sunday, contended that “Democrats in the Texas House who attempt to escape like cowards should be located, arrested, and returned to the Capitol without delay.”
The choice made by Texas Democrats to leave the state — reminiscent of a similar action during the mid-cycle redistricting conflict in 2003 — underscores the party’s tactic of utilizing every possible means to obstruct Republican initiatives aimed at altering the state’s electoral maps.
The ongoing redistricting dispute is intensifying the likelihood of a wider redistricting arms race, as both Democratic and Republican states contemplate modifying their own congressional maps—introducing uncertainty into the results of the upcoming midterm elections next year.
However, it is important to note that most large Democratic states, such as California and New York, cannot easily alter their maps in the same manner as Texas due to existing regulations and state constitutional restrictions.
In the meantime, Abbott has cautioned that Democratic lawmakers who have left the state may face arrest and expulsion if they do not return by Monday afternoon. Shortly after Abbott made his statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus provided a straightforward reply, stating: “Come and take it.”
Fox News reported that Abbott condemned the Democrats’ dramatic exit, beginning his appeal for their return with, “real Texans do not flee from a fight.”
“Instead of fulfilling their duties and voting on critical legislation that impacts the lives of all Texans, they have abandoned Texas to deprive the House of the quorum required to convene and conduct business,” he asserted.
To establish a quorum and carry out legislative activities, at least 100 of the 150 members of the Texas House must be present. With approximately 50 Democratic lawmakers having departed the state, the House lacks the necessary numbers to move forward.
Abbott stressed that voting is a fundamental duty of elected officials, asserting that their involvement in the legislative process is essential.