Texas House authorizes law enforcement to track down absent lawmakers
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas House gaveled in Monday short of a quorum after more than 50 Democratic lawmakers fled the state over the weekend to block a vote on creating a new U.S. congressional map that would give Republicans an edge to pick up five additional seats.
Even though 100 members were not in the lower chamber — the needed amount for a quorum — House members voted on a motion to have the sergeant-at-arms track down absentee lawmakers, under warrant of arrest if necessary, and bring them back to Austin to reestablish quorum.
The House voted to issue a "call of the house," which locks members of the chamber in unless they are permitted to leave, and it allows the Speaker to issue arrest warrants for members not present. All six present Democrats voted against the motion.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he immediately signed the warrants for the civil arrest of the lawmakers who fled Texas. "I will do everything in my power to establish quorum and move this body forward by any and all means available to this office," Burrows said from the dais. "To those who are absent, return now. Show the courage to face the issues you were elected to solve. Come back and fulfill your duty."
Gov. Greg Abbott also released a statement shortly after the House gaveled out, ordering the Texas Department of Public Safety to track down lawmakers.
"To ensure compliance, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans," Abbott said. "This order will remain in effect until all missing Democrat House members are accounted for and brought to the Texas Capitol."
In a news conference following the motion, Burrows said he has talked to Abbott and will work with DPS to locate the absent lawmakers.
"While our work may be delayed, whether it's tomorrow or next week, the House will complete its required duties," Burrows said.
Texas law enforcement does not have jurisdiction beyond the state line to arrest lawmakers, some of whom went to New York and Illinois. When asked by a reporter if he would accept any help from the Trump administration to bring back lawmakers, Burrows said "there is nothing off the table."
"There is one member who said that they are doing a fundraiser here in Austin tomorrow, and I've sent that fundraising letter to DPS and said they should be invited to attend as well," Burrows said. "We'll see how that goes forward."
Democrats, both those present and those absent, released statements throughout the day on the move to break quorum.
Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, said in a statement "I do not take breaking quorum lightly, but in this case I believe that doing so is the only way I can fulfill the role I was elected by the people of HD-101 to do." Turner is part of the group that fled to Illinois.
Moody was present at the Capitol on Monday, despite being part of previous quorum breaks. In a statement, he said he stayed back so that the Democrats had a representative to advocate against the redrawn maps in-person.
"I support my fellow Democrats who’ve left the state to protect all Texans' votes," Moody said. "The best way I can fight back is at the Capitol, which is why I’ve chosen to stay now that quorum has been broken. I’ll be looking my Republican colleagues in the eyes and asking them to look into their souls: They know this is wrong."
Rep. Ana Hernandez, D-Houston, said that she left the state because the redrawn maps "dilute Black and Latino voting strength" in her home city of Houston.
"Leaving the state was not a decision I took lightly. But I won't stay in a process that shuts out my community," Hernandez said. "My responsibility is to them - and I'll keep fighting to make sure they're heard."
Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, expressed the same sentiment, calling quorum breaking a "last resort."
It is unclear how long the Democrats will remain out of state. The longer they do, the more fines they will incur, at a rate of $500 per day, per member.
Abbott released an additional statement Monday calling on the Texas Rangers to investigate Democrats on bribery charges.
“Today, I ordered the Texas Rangers to immediately investigate fleeing Texas House Democrats for potential bribery and any other potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum, conduct business and cast votes,” Abbott said. “That investigation should extend to anyone who aided or abetted such potential crimes."
Speaking from the dais, Burrows had a message for the Democrats, urging them to return home.
"To those who are absent, return now. Show the courage to face the issues you were elected to solve. Come back and fulfill your duty. Because this house will not sit quietly while you obstruct the work of the people," Burrows said. "The people of Texas are watching, and so is the nation."