Texas Supreme Court Delays Decision on Expelling Democrats Who Fled State

The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited briefing schedule for Governor Greg Abbott's lawsuit seeking to remove Democratic lawmakers, including House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu, who fled the state to block the passage of new congressional maps. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton bypassed lower courts to directly petition the state's highest court to expel these lawmakers for denying a legislative quorum, an unprecedented move in Texas political history. The court has pushed the timeline back, with final briefs due September 4, more than two weeks after the special session ends, rejecting Abbott's request for a rapid 48-hour ruling. Abbott hailed the schedule as progress toward holding the Democratic lawmakers accountable, framing their absence as dereliction of duty while Democrats argue their actions reflect their constituents' wishes and that removal requires a two-thirds House vote. The redistricting effort, driven by pressure from President Donald Trump to secure a GOP majority cushion, has heightened partisan tensions, with Democrats condemning the mid-decade map redraw as a power grab that diminishes minority voting influence. The court remains entirely Republican-appointed, with two-thirds of justices appointed by Abbott, underscoring the politically charged nature of this legal battle.