Texas Republicans are drawing a firm line in the sand as Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton take legal action against Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum.
On Tuesday, Paxton announced plans to ask the courts to declare that House Democrats who left Texas have effectively “abandoned their offices,” opening the door for their potential removal. Abbott, wasting no time, immediately filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court to oust Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), who he called the “ringleader” of the disruption.
At the heart of the controversy is a group of Democrat legislators who fled the state to prevent the House from conducting business, paralyzing legislative efforts, including bills on election integrity and border security. Speaker Dustin Burrows has given the absent lawmakers until Friday to return or face consequences.
Paxton didn’t mince words: “Any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don’t show up for work, you get fired.”
Abbott’s petition makes the stakes clear: allowing a handful of legislators to grind government to a halt sets a dangerous precedent. “If lawmakers can simply flee to block legislation, they could bankrupt the state just to get their way,” the filing warns.
The bold legal strategy signals that Republican leadership in Texas is serious about restoring accountability and protecting the legislative process. With court action now in motion, the message is loud and clear: elected officials who abandon their duties won’t be allowed to hold the state hostage without consequences.