The Texas Supreme Court has “expedited” the schedule for briefs to be filed in the case of Democrats fleeing the Texas House.
“My lawsuit in the Texas Supreme Court against the ring leader of the derelict Democrats in the Texas House goes to the next level,” Governor Greg Abbott (R) said in a social media statement. “Closer to consequences for Texas Democrats running away from their duties and spending the summer in California and Illinois.”
Under the expedited schedule, Abbott must file his brief by August 20, while respondents must file their brief by August 29. Abbott may then file a reply brief by September 4.
Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in the state’s Supreme Court to take action against the Democrat legislators who failed to meet the deadline to return to their seats.
“The rogue Democrat legislators who fled the state have abandoned their duties, leaving their seats vacant,” Paxton said. “These cowards deliberately sabotaged the constitutional process and violated the oath they swore to uphold. Their out-of-state rebellion cannot go unchecked, and the business of Texas must go on. I have asked the Texas Supreme Court to declare what has been clear from the beginning: that the runaway members have officially vacated their offices in the Texas House.”
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has also urged FBI Director Kash Patel to work alongside Texas law enforcement in arresting lawmakers fleeing the state. Cornyn later said that the FBI approved his request.
“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” the senator said. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”
