Abbott Confirms Search for Democrats in Texas

Governor Greg Abbott (R) shared with Fox News that some Democrats have not actually left Texas and that state troopers are currently trying to locate them, including representatives who may have traveled to different states.

This week, arrest warrants were issued for those Democrats who missed a special session of the Texas House. While many representatives are in Illinois and New York, Abbott mentioned in an interview that a few members remained within Texas. The Democrats fled the Capitol to obstruct the drawing of new district maps, which effectively blocked the required quorum.

“The Texas Department of Public Safety is actively searching for Democrats to arrest them,” Abbott stated.

The absence of these representatives is causing delays in providing relief to areas that experienced significant flooding last month.

During a conversation with representative Tom Oliverson in Texas, a question arose about whether the officials could indeed be arrested and forced to return to Austin to establish a quorum.

Abbott confirmed, “Yes, the Texas Department of Public Safety is on the streets looking for those members to return them to the Texas Capitol until we reach a quorum.”

He acknowledged he wasn’t entirely sure how many Democrats remained in Texas but noted that the Department of Public Safety is collaborating with other states to “explore options for arresting Texas Democrats who are elsewhere and bringing them back to Texas.”

Abbott also highlighted that if seats are vacated, new elections would be called to fill them. He emphasized this point to underline the importance of ensuring participation in the legislative process.

In Illinois, some members expressed willingness to face the consequences of their absence, asserting that it was crucial to leave the state to prevent the implementation of these new legislative maps.