Abbott Threatens Years-Long Arrest Risk for Texas Democrats Blocking Redistricting

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he will keep the state legislature in continuous 30-day special sessions until House Democrats return to Austin and allow a vote on a Republican-drawn congressional map. Roughly 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas last week for Illinois and New York to deny the 150-member House the 100-member quorum it needs to conduct business. Abbott told Fox News he is prepared to call “another, then another, then another” special session and warned that any Democrat who re-enters Texas could be arrested and escorted to the Capitol. The governor said the threat could remain in force "for literally years," effectively forcing the lawmakers to stay out of state if they want to avoid detention. In addition to the arrest threat, absent legislators face $500-a-day fines and the suspension of direct-deposit pay. Abbott argued the Democrats are violating Article 3 of the Texas Constitution by refusing to act on bills and that their continued absence could form grounds for removal from office. Democrats say the GOP proposal would give Republicans an exaggerated majority of the state’s U.S. House seats and have vowed to continue fighting the plan in court if necessary.