The FBI has granted Texas Senator John Cornyn’s request to help track down House Democrats who fled the state to block GOP-backed redistricting.
In a statement on Thursday (August 7), Cornyn said he was grateful for the swift support of FBI Director Kash Patel and President Donald Trump in his request for federal assistance in locating Democratic lawmakers who left the state amid the redistricting push.
“We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities,” Cornyn said, per ABC News. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call.”
Cornyn’s statement came after he sent a letter to the FBI on Tuesday (August 5) asking for help investigating the whereabouts of lawmakers who left Texas to prevent the legislature from reaching a quorum needed to vote on new congressional maps. The proposed redraw would give Republicans as many as five additional House seats. Democrats argue that redistricting will suppress voters of color and is a blatant power grab orchestrated by Trump to maintain control in Washington.
After Democrats fled the state on Sunday (August 3), Texas House Republicans failed again Tuesday to move forward on the redistricting bill. House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows (R) said the next attempt to reach a quorum will happen Friday (August 8).
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate and detain the lawmakers blocking redistricting, saying the order will remain in place “until they are accounted for and brought back” to Austin.
“They got to come back home sometime,” Cornyn said Thursday, calling the Democrats’ walkout “irresponsible.” “They’re not going to be able to ultimately escape their responsibility. It’s a stunt.”
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