On Tuesday, the Texas Supreme Court voided the temporary restraining order ordered by a district judge; this order prevented the threat of arrest of Democrats who fled Texas last month to avoid attending the special session.
Democrat lawmakers who fled the state are facing a threat of arrest
Nearly 60 Democrat lawmakers are threatened to be arrested by Republican Governor Greg Abbott; this comes after they fled the state legislature in order to prevent Republicans from having a quorum and passing the voting reforms bill.
Texas Supreme Court Gov. Abbott Can Order Arrest Of Runaway Democrats If They Fail To Show For Vote https://t.co/Fq3nixe0QM pic.twitter.com/SPz9ZKtQu5
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 10, 2021
The ruling from the Texas Supreme Court came after House Speaker Dade Phelan and Abbott petitioned the high court on Monday to reverse the protection order. The reversal of the protection order means the Democrat lawmakers are facing the threat of arrest once they come back from their month-long absence.
Renae Eze, Abbott’s spokesperson, said that the Texas Supreme Court swiftly rejected the attempt of the Democrat lawmakers to undermine the Constitution and resist performing the duty that they were elected to do.
Eze added that they expect the Supreme Court to stop another stall tactic used by Texas Democrats and uphold the rule of law. She said that by fleeing the state, the Democrat lawmakers walked out on residents of Texas and the critical issues they are facing.
She added that the special session’s agenda also involves providing for proper tax relief, protecting foster children, funding retired teachers, and securing the southern border.
We look forward to the Supreme Court upholding the rule of law and stopping another stall tactic by the Texas Democrats,” the statement added.https://t.co/5ANDKNB21W
— Grade (@Luuezz) August 11, 2021
Abbott’s spokesperson also mentioned that the lawmakers should not have run for office if they do not want to do their jobs of debating and voting on the issue. She continued, stating that the Texas governor will keep working and fighting for the future of Texas.
Abbott will continue calling for a special session, one after another
The Texas Democrat lawmakers who already came back to the state could face arrest if they refuse to attend the session to form a quorum.
On the other hand, Abbott will continue to call for special sessions, one after another, to force Democrat lawmakers to come to Texas and vote on the voting reform legislation.
Last month, the Texas governor called for a special session to vote for various agendas. Included among them is the voting reform bill, also called the “election integrity” legislation.
In response to this, 57 Democrat lawmakers fled Texas to deny GOP lawmakers a quorum and prevent the passage of the voting bill. Most Democrat lawmakers are planning to stay away from Texas and extend their stay in D.C. to keep depriving Republican lawmakers of the needed quorum.
State Representative Ron Reynolds stated that many of them are willing to extend their stay in Washington D.C. However, he added that it is a “sacrifice” for them, as many have children and spouses left in Texas. He added that this means they would be away from them for a longer time.
