Texas Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the arrest of what he termed a “delinquent Democrat” after several legislators failed to return to Congress as required on Sunday. He directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to “position members who waived their obligations against the Texans in residential rooms, arrest them, and bring them back.”
“The Texas House Democrats have neglected their duties to Texans,” Gov. Abbott remarked. He emphasized that their absence jeopardizes crucial legislation intended to help flood victims and facilitate property tax relief. This neglect will have notable consequences.”
This order follows a “Texas House Call” initiated by Chairman Dustin Burrows, who issued a warrant to compel members to return to their designated areas, as stated by Abbott.
To ensure compliance, Abbott reiterated that he directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, detain, and return those members who failed to fulfill their responsibilities. “The order will remain active until all absent Democrat members are accounted for and present at the Texas State Capitol,” he added.
Abbott, in a statement Sunday night, cautioned Democrats to return to their posts or face termination, potentially along with felony bribery charges, as reported by Breitbart Texas.
“This truancy is over now,” Gov. Abbott asserted. “Those Democrats must come back to Texas and reconvene at 3 pm on Monday, August 4, 2025. The governor has invoked the Texas Attorney General’s Opinion No. KP-0382 regarding the removal of absent members from their elected roles.”
As the Democrats chose not to return, Abbott’s response included a speaker’s call to the Texas House and subsequent arrest orders.
On Sunday afternoon, House Democrats left the state for Illinois to prevent the legislature from proceeding with plans regarding Texas Senate District. Democrat Caucus Chairman Jean Wu argued that the governor “intentionally employs racist maps to undermine the voices of countless black and Latino Texans, all while executing corrupt political maneuvers.” She added that House Democrats refuse to “collude with the silence of the hardworking community that’s tirelessly fought for their rights.”
Abbott also indicated that Texas Democrats possibly committed felonies on Sunday in addition to neglecting their offices.
“Many absent Democrats are attempting to secure funds to avoid the fines they incur under House rules,” the governor pointed out. “A Democrat who accepts or seeks such funds to aid in legislative neglect or to dodge voting may have breached the Bribery Act. Individuals providing such funds may also be guilty of bribery.”
Abbott commented, “The only way some of these fleeing Democrats can avoid bribery allegations is to not disrupt the quorum.” He shared this in a Sunday social media post.
Concluding his statement, Abbott expressed intentions to utilize full extradition powers to seek the return of potential out-of-state felons to Texas.
