Texas Republicans Suspend Pay, Impose Fines on Exiled Democrats in Redistricting Standoff

Texas Republicans have intensified efforts to compel over 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP-led congressional redistricting plan to return to Austin. House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced that absent Democrats will no longer receive direct deposit paychecks and must collect payments in person, with 30% withheld to cover daily fines imposed for quorum denial. Attorney General Ken Paxton domesticated civil arrest warrants to enforce lawmakers' return beyond Texas, while the FBI is assisting in tracking them down following Governor Greg Abbott's orders. Democrats, who relocated to states like California, Illinois, and New York, aim to delay redistricting that could add five Republican seats, and have vowed to stay out for weeks, even planning redistricting efforts in retaliation with California officials. The standoff has escalated to threats of removing absent Democrats from office, potential bribery investigations, and mounting financial penalties that could exceed their legislative salaries, adding new pressure compared to previous quorum-denying walkouts. This political deadlock highlights the broader national implications, as redistricting battles like Texas's could influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives in upcoming elections.