Two panicked Democrat state reps returned to the Texas Capitol on Tuesday after Governor Abbott threatened to have them arrested and removed from office for fleeing the state to block GOP redistricting efforts.
Texas legislators voted 85-6 on Monday to pass a motion to issue arrest warrants for the Democrat lawmakers who fled to Illinois to block GOP redistricting efforts.
Chamber doors have been locked and House lawmakers have passed a motion to issue arrest warrants for Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state. pic.twitter.com/a34N9jiLpC
— Daniel Perreault (@DPerreaultTV) August 4, 2025
Later Monday, Governor Greg Abbot ordered the Texas DPS to arrest and return every House Democrat who fled to Illinois.
“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty and are holding flood relief and property tax cuts hostage,” Abbott said.
“I ordered Texas DPS to arrest and return every derelict House Democrat to the Texas Capitol,” Abbott added.
On Monday afternoon, Texas House lawmakers locked the doors and voted to issue arrest warrants.
Chamber doors have been locked and House lawmakers have passed a motion to issue arrest warrants for Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state. pic.twitter.com/a34N9jiLpC
— Daniel Perreault (@DPerreaultTV) August 4, 2025
Two of the AWOL Democrats returned on Tuesday as Abbott and AG Ken Paxton threaten to vacate their seats.
No quorum present today, tally is 94. #txlege pic.twitter.com/mGZvWn6jbf
— Brad Johnson (@bradj_TX) August 5, 2025
Rep. Philip Cortez and Rep. Eddie Morales have reportedly returned to the Texas Capitol.
While the stated tally was 94, the vote sheet shows 95 plus Ken King whose machine didn’t register him present even though he was in the chamber. So that puts it at 96, 4 from a quorum.
Two Dems returned today: E Morales and Cortez.
— Brad Johnson (@bradj_TX) August 5, 2025
