Texas GOP Senator Urges DOJ Probe of O’Rourke, Soros Groups Funding Democratic Walkout

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) has called on the Justice Department to investigate whether political action committees tied to Beto O’Rourke and George Soros illegally funded Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a GOP-led redistricting special session. Cornyn alleges these PACs, including O’Rourke’s Powered by People, paid for luxurious travel, lodging, food, and fines incurred by the legislators who left Texas to prevent a quorum. The GOP senator accuses these groups of potentially violating federal public corruption, election laws, and other statutes like the Travel Act, as the lawmakers crossed state lines to avoid legislative duties. This move follows Cornyn’s previous request for FBI assistance in locating the absent Democrats and comes amid ongoing political battles over redistricting that could shift congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. While the Texas Senate advanced the new maps, the missing House Democrats are reportedly preparing to return as the special session nears its end. Cornyn also criticized the fleeing legislators for blocking aid to victims of recent floods, calling their actions a "shameful dereliction of duty."