Texas Gov. Abbott orders civil arrest of Democratic lawmakers who fled state to block GOP-drawn congressional map

Source: CBS News

Updated on: August 4, 2025 / 4:14 PM CDT


Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered the civil arrest of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a vote on a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan, escalating a standoff that has stalled the legislative session.

The absence of the Democratic lawmakers broke quorum, which meant the House did not have enough members present to hold a debate on a bill to redraw the state's congressional districts to add five seats favoring Republicans. That prompted a Republican-backed motion for their civil arrests.

"In response to this dereliction of duty," House Speaker Dustin Burrows said Monday, "in pursuant to the rules of the House, I am prepared to recognize a motion to place a call on the House and any other motions necessary to compel the return of absent members. Should such a motion prevail, I will immediately sign the warrants for the civil arrests of the members who have said they will not be here."

Minutes after the session adjourned, Abbott made a post on his X account with a "Breaking News" banner saying he had ordered the arrest of Democrats who fled the state. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to "locate, arrest and return any House member who abandoned their duty to Texans;" however, Texas DPS has no jurisdiction out of state. A civil arrest would force the lawmakers back to the Capitol.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-democrats-quorum-redistricting-abbott/