Texas Democrats Who Fled to Block Redistricting Will Not Receive Pay Until They Return

Around 50 Democratic lawmakers from Texas, who left the state to delay a redistricting vote, will no longer be paid until they appear in the Capitol, according to the House Speaker. House Speaker Dustin Burrow announced that paychecks and per diems for absent members will be withheld, noting that while the Constitution prohibits withholding salaries, checks must now be collected in person on Capitol grounds, effective immediately.

Burrow also ordered a 30% cut to the office budgets of absent Democrats and mandated they attend in person to claim reimbursements or send out newsletters. Those missing, some of whom have been sighted in states like New York, Illinois, and California, face a $500 daily fine for unexcused absences.

Furthermore, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed two lawsuits aimed at stopping funding for the absent lawmakers and attempting to vacate 13 House seats belonging to those who publicly refused to return, accusing them of abandoning their duties and violating their oath.

Paxton’s second suit targets Powered by People, a political action committee founded by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, which has reportedly paid for the travel and lodging expenses of the fleeing lawmakers. The lawsuit, filed in Tarrant County, seeks to prevent the group from raising or disbursing funds for these members, alleging that they might be accepting bribes and misleadingly raising money for personal expenses.

O’Rourke has also sued Paxton in state court to block the attorney general’s investigation into his PAC, calling it a direct political attack. The legislative session is set to end on August 19, with the House still five members short of a quorum.

Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to continue calling special sessions until the maps are approved and has issued warrants for lawmakers who refuse to return. The FBI is reportedly assisting efforts to locate and bring back the absentee Democrats from out-of-state locations.