Texas Democrats Fight Abbott’s Removal Bid After Quorum Walkout

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying efforts to compel Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to return and restore quorum, which is necessary for the Texas legislature to proceed with redrawing congressional maps favoring Republicans. Abbott has indicated he will maintain a special legislative session indefinitely and may call multiple sessions until the Democrats return and the maps are passed. He has also pursued legal action to remove House Minority Leader Gene Wu and other Democrats from office, while law enforcement, including the FBI, is reportedly involved in tracking down the absent legislators. Democrats argue their quorum-breaking tactic is a constitutional and necessary response to what they see as an unjust Republican majority redistricting effort, with national Democrats supporting them. A legal dispute has emerged between Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who asserts that only the attorney general has the authority to seek removal of lawmakers, even as both have filed actions against the Democrats. This standoff over redistricting in Texas has national implications, influencing political strategies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections during President Donald Trump's administration.