The FBI is now assisting Texas officials in locating Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP-led redistricting vote, according to Sen. John Cornyn. The development comes amid mounting political pressure from Republican leaders and renewed involvement from federal authorities.
"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," Cornyn said in a statement on Thursday. "We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities."
Cornyn sent the formal request for federal support on Tuesday. By Thursday morning, the senator joined "The Mark Davis Show" to express gratitude for the FBI's swift response. "Just to get to the bottom of it, I asked Kash to look into it and he responded promptly, I'm grateful to him," Cornyn said.
The absent Democrats have stalled legislative proceedings by breaking quorum, halting progress on a redistricting bill that could net Republicans three to five additional seats in next year's midterm elections. House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Republican, said a new attempt to reestablish quorum would take place Friday.
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate and arrest the absent legislators. "They got to come back home sometime," Cornyn said. "It's not going to be successful. They're not going to be able to ultimately escape their responsibility. It's a stunt."
President Donald Trump also weighed in earlier this week, telling ABC News that the FBI "may have to get involved" and criticized the fleeing lawmakers. "You can't just sit it out. You have to go back. You have to fight it out. That's what elections are all about," Trump said.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has suggested seeking court rulings to vacate the seats of Democrats who do not return by the end of the week. On a podcast, Abbott confirmed the FBI's involvement and asked the Texas Supreme Court to clarify whether he has the authority to remove lawmakers from office.
