Lawmakers just do their jobs.
Texas Republicans are cracking down on runaway Democrats — slashing their perks, hitting their wallets, and vowing to drag them back to work.
Nearly 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state to block a critical redistricting vote, and now, House Speaker Dustin Burrows says no more easy paychecks. Starting immediately, lawmakers who skip the Capitol to “break quorum” must show up in person to get their pay and per diem.
For the third time this week, Democrats’ walkout has paralyzed the House’s special redistricting session. With 55 members still hiding in blue strongholds like New York, Illinois, and California, Texans are left without representation.
“While the Constitution prevents us from withholding salaries outright, it says nothing about how we issue them,” Burrows said. His new rules also slash absent Democrats’ office budgets by 30%, and they must now appear in person to get reimbursements or send official mail. On top of that, $500 fines are piling up for every unexcused day they miss.
Paxton Launches Legal Blitz
Attorney General Ken Paxton isn’t stopping at pay cuts. On Friday, he filed two hard-hitting lawsuits. The first asks the Texas Supreme Court to vacate 13 House seats after members openly admitted they will not return.
“These cowards have abandoned their oath and sabotaged the constitutional process,” Paxton declared. “Their out-of-state rebellion cannot go unchecked. Texas business must go on.”
The second lawsuit targets Powered by People, the left-wing PAC run by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke. Paxton accuses O’Rourke’s group of bankrolling runaway Democrats’ jet-setting lifestyles, from airfare to luxury hotels, while misleading donors.
“I won’t let washed-up political figures try to buy influence over Texas lawmakers,” Paxton declared. “Beto, I’ll meet you in court.”
Within hours, Judge Megan Fahey granted Paxton a temporary injunction, blocking O’Rourke’s group from fundraising or covering expenses for the missing lawmakers. O’Rourke fired back on social media, accusing Paxton — and by extension, President Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott — of trying to “silence voting rights groups.” He also filed his own lawsuit to stop the investigation.
Abbott: ‘We Will Not Back Down’
Gov. Abbott remains firm: the redistricting fight will continue until Republicans pass new maps, which could add five GOP seats in Congress. He’s prepared to call special session after special session until Democrats cave.
The governor has already issued arrest warrants for the missing members, directing Texas law enforcement — with reported FBI assistance — to locate them and bring them back to Austin.
“The people of Texas deserve lawmakers who work, not politicians on taxpayer-funded vacations,” Abbott told Fox News. “We’re getting these maps passed.”
The current session ends Aug. 19, but Republican leaders say the pressure will only increase. For Democrats on the run, the clock — and the fines — are ticking.