JUST IN: Texas Supreme Court FAST-TRACKS Case to Vacate Rogue Democrat Seats

The Texas Supreme Court has expedited a case seeking to vacate the seats of 13 Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a redistricting vote. Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit, arguing that these legislators abandoned their duties by fleeing, thereby forfeiting their positions. The court has set an accelerated schedule to hear the case, signaling a swift resolution. Paxton criticized the lawmakers for undermining the legislative process and emphasized the need to uphold the constitutional order.

The affected lawmakers, including Rep. Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democrats, and others from various districts, contend that their actions were a legitimate exercise of legislative prerogative. They argue that quorum-breaking is a recognized tactic in Texas politics and that their absence was a response to what they perceive as an unjust redistricting effort. Their legal teams are challenging the lawsuit, asserting that such matters fall within the legislative branch’s authority and not the judiciary’s.

Governor Greg Abbott has supported the effort to remove the absent lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a functioning legislature. He has vowed to continue calling special sessions until the redistricting plan is passed, despite the ongoing standoff. The situation has drawn national attention, with implications for the balance of power in Texas and potential precedents for legislative procedures.

As the Texas Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, the outcome could significantly impact the state’s political landscape. A ruling in favor of vacating the seats could lead to special elections and alter the composition of the House, while a decision against it would affirm the lawmakers’ actions and potentially embolden similar tactics in the future. The case underscores the ongoing tensions between legislative authority and executive intervention in state governance.