Texas House Democrats, led by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, are facing legal action if they do not return to Austin to pass the GOP’s proposed new congressional maps. The move comes after over 50 Democrats left the state to prevent the Texas House from having a quorum, the number of lawmakers needed to consider and pass legislation under chamber rules. The Democrats are hoping to stop the passage of a new congressional map, drawn at the direction of President Donald Trump, that could net five additional seats for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. If the Democrats are not back by then, Abbott will initiate legal action to remove them from office, kicking off a potentially lengthy and complicated legal process.
Absconded Democrats will face a $500 fine for every day they are absent, as well as possible reprimand, censure, or expulsion, per House rules. Even if a judge rules that the Democrats’ seats are vacant, he would still have to call an election to fill each vacancy, which would likely produce few opportunities for Republican pickups.
Abbott further alleged members could face felony charges for fundraising to pay their fines. Lawmakers who are “soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules” may be violating bribery laws. The Texas House Democratic Caucus, the organizing group for House Democrats, responded to Abbott’s threats with a four-word statement that read, “Come and take it.”
