Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Sunday he is prepared to call back-to-back special legislative sessions for as long as it takes to pass a new congressional map, amid an ongoing standoff with Democratic lawmakers who have left the state to block a vote.
“This could literally last years,” Abbott told Fox News Sunday. “As soon as this one is over, I’m going to call another one, then another one, then another one, then another one.”
More than 50 Democratic legislators have refused to return to the Texas Capitol, preventing the state House from reaching the quorum needed to conduct business. Many have traveled to California, Illinois, and other states.
Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) have filed lawsuits seeking to have those lawmakers’ seats declared vacant. In addition, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), currently in a contested primary with Paxton, claimed that the FBI was helping execute civil warrants to bring the Democrats back — though it is unclear if the bureau is actually involved.
The absent Democrats face $500 fines for each day they remain away, costs some are attempting to offset through political donations.
The redistricting dispute has drawn attention beyond Texas. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Friday he would seek a special election to redraw California’s U.S. House districts, potentially countering Republican gains from states like Texas. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is also considering redistricting.
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