Abbott To AWOL Texas Democrats: Respect Voters Or Be Removed—
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott threatened Sunday to remove dozens of House Democrats from office after they fled to the state to block a GOP-led redistricting plan during a special session of the legislature.
In a statement, Abbott gave more than 50 Democrats who left the state to deny a quorum – effectively halting the legislative process – until 3:00 p.m. on Monday to return or face removal proceedings. Abbott said that the actions of the Democrats amounted to “an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office” and that Texas law empowered him to fill the vacancies.
“RealTexansdonotrunfromafight.Butthat’sexactlywhatmostoftheTexasHouseDemocratsjustdid,”Abbottsaid.“RatherthandoingtheirjobandvotingonurgentlegislationaffectingthelivesofallTexans,theyhavefledTexastodeprivetheHouseofthequorumnecessarytomeetandconductbusiness.”
Thespecialsession,whichbeganonJuly21,wassettoaddressavarietyofissues,includingredistricting,floodrelief,abortion,andtaxes.DemocratscouldloseasmanyasfiveHouseseatsifRepub
