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Greg Abbott Threatens to Expel Texas Democrats as They Thwart Redistricting

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Rolling Stone

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KenPaxtonTX

Metaculus

Which party will control the US Congress following the 2026 midterm elections?

5434627 Redistricting Battle Texas Illinois

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Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott in a letter has threatened to remove Democratic state legislators from office if they do not return to the state capitol Monday. More than 50 Democrats fled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts over the weekend to deny Republicans a quorum needed to pass a redistricting measure.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott in a letter has threatened to remove Democratic state legislators from office if they do not return to the state capitol Monday. More than 50 Democrats fled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts over the weekend to deny Republicans a quorum needed to pass a redistricting measure.

The Texas House requires at least 100 of its 150 members present to conduct business. With only 62 Democratic members in the chamber, their collective absence can halt legislative proceedings during the special session scheduled to end Aug. 19.

The Texas House requires at least 100 of its 150 members present to conduct business. With only 62 Democratic members in the chamber, their collective absence can halt legislative proceedings during the special session scheduled to end Aug. 19.

Abbott cited an opinion by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from 2021 as legal justification for removing Democrats from office. However, the opinion states it's a "fact-specific question only resolvable by a court" and does not definitively say lawmakers who break quorum can be removed.

Office of the Texas Governor

Abbott cited an opinion by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from 2021 as legal justification for removing Democrats from office. However, the opinion states it's a "fact-specific question only resolvable by a court" and does not definitively say lawmakers who break quorum can be removed.

Abbott also threatened felony charges against Democrats who solicit or accept funds to pay the $500 daily fines for their absence, claiming this may violate Texas bribery laws. And he warned he would use full extradition authority against potential out-of-state felons.

Abbott also threatened felony charges against Democrats who solicit or accept funds to pay the $500 daily fines for their absence, claiming this may violate Texas bribery laws. And he warned he would use full extradition authority against potential out-of-state felons.

The Texas House Democratic Caucus responded to Abbott's threats with a four-word statement that said, "Come and take it". Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pledged to provide lodging and logistical support for the legislators during their stay in Chicago.

The Texas House Democratic Caucus responded to Abbott's threats with a four-word statement that said, "Come and take it". Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pledged to provide lodging and logistical support for the legislators during their stay in Chicago.

The proposed Republican congressional redistricting map, backed by President Donald Trump, could create up to five new GOP seats in the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing districts in Dallas, Houston and other cities to favor Republicans.

The proposed Republican congressional redistricting map, backed by President Donald Trump, could create up to five new GOP seats in the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing districts in Dallas, Houston and other cities to favor Republicans.

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Radical Democrats are disrespecting the legislative body they serve in and the constituents they represent by fleeing their duties over legislation they don't like. They've proven that they're cowards who must be held accountable, even if that means arresting them.

Radical Democrats are disrespecting the legislative body they serve in and the constituents they represent by fleeing their duties over legislation they don't like. They've proven that they're cowards who must be held accountable, even if that means arresting them.

The Texas Democrats who left the state are heroes standing up against Trump's corrupt attempt to rig the system through racist gerrymandering that silences Black and Latino voters. Abbott has no real authority to remove them and this is just political theater.

The Texas Democrats who left the state are heroes standing up against Trump's corrupt attempt to rig the system through racist gerrymandering that silences Black and Latino voters. Abbott has no real authority to remove them and this is just political theater.

There's a 19.7% chance that Republicans will control both houses of the U.S. Congress following the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 19.7% chance that Republicans will control both houses of the U.S. Congress following the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images

Abbott Threatens to Remove Texas Democrats Who Fled State

Abbott Threatens to Remove Texas Democrats Who Fled State

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Abbott Threatens to Remove Texas Democrats Who Fled State

Abbott Threatens to Remove Texas Democrats Who Fled State

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