Texas Supreme Court Allows Arrest of Runaway Democrats

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Washington Free Beacon

Court also upholds Gov. Abbott's veto of appropriations for legislator salaries

Kevin Daley

August 10, 2021

AUSTIN, Texas—The Supreme Court of Texas on Tuesday allowed for the arrest or detention of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to stop passage of an election reform package they view as an assault on voting rights.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R.) and statehouse speaker Matthew "Dade" Phelan (R.) have threatened to detain the runaway Democrats in the state capitol and force them to discharge their legislative duties once they return from Washington, D.C. On Sunday night a state court judge in Travis County issued an order blocking Abbott, Phelan, and other officials from taking that step. Tuesday’s move by the state supreme court voids the order for the time being.

"The Supreme Court of Texas swiftly rejected this dangerous attempt by Texas Democrats to undermine our Constitution and avoid doing the job they were elected to do," Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said. "We look forward to the Supreme Court upholding the rule of law and stopping another stall tactic by the Texas Democrats."

The Texas Supreme Court’s stay will remain in effect only on a temporary basis. The court gave the Democratic lawmakers a Thursday deadline to file legal papers addressing the controversy ahead of further proceedings.

Four lawmakers who participated in the quorum-bust have since returned to Texas, but the state legislature is still a few members short of the attendance threshold necessary to conduct business.

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