Gov Abbott Dropped Bombshell on Texas Left Who Fled State: Return Today or Be Removed, Face Felony Charges

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement warning Leftists who fled the state to deny a quorum for his redistricting push that they have until precisely 3 p.m. Monday to return to their House duties or face removal from office.

Abbott, in his statement, cited a 2021 Attorney General opinion (KP-0382) that could let him petition a court to declare their seats vacant. On top of that, he is dangling the sword of felony charges, alleging their fundraising to cover $500-a-day fines might violate bribery laws.

Abbott’s statement is the right move. But does it have the teeth with which to follow through?

The first step in punishing these cowardly Leftists was set to be $500 per day fines, which, as Bonchie noted, would not “do much to compel a return … and you can bet left-wing donors will find a way to slip money under the table to pay those debts.”

Abbott addressed that tactic in his statement, suggesting soliciting funds to evade the fines as a means to abandon their legislative duties could violate bribery laws. Still this would not be a certain legal sell.

Although Abbott declared:

I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons.

The governor made similar threats back in 2021 when the Left pulled an identical stunt, though giving a specific deadline and citing legal opinions seems to be upping the ante here. Will he actually pull the trigger?

The state lawmakers at that time—which included Rep. Jasmine Crockett (C/G-TX)—called Abbott’s bluff with Republicans seemingly unwilling to support the nuclear option. The childish truants eventually returned after fleeing the state for 38 days.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, previously threatened arrests of from the Left who simply tried to leave the state to prevent a vote on redistricting.

AG Paxton wrote on X:

If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go.

Further:

My office stands ready to assist local, state, and federal authorities in hunting down and compelling the attendance of anyone who abandons their office and their constituents for cheap political theater.

Abbott and Paxton are indeed invoking a tone that they are not playing games this time around. It seems reasonable any lawmaker who refuses to do their job should be subject to removal or a stiff penalty of some kind.

Leftists stomping their little feet and walking away every time a vote comes up which they do not like is inappropriate. If they continue getting away with it, it will only be a matter of time before their colleagues in other states try the same sad stunt over and over again.

As with any rule breaker, there must be consequences. In the end, this stunt is about a refusal to vote in a contest they are certain they will lose. And Abbott needs to bring the full weight of the law down on anyone who continues such tactics.