Update!! Greg Abbott Says Fleeing Texas Democrats 'Will Be Arrested' When They Return to State

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Last edited Tue Jul 13, 2021, 10:26 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.newsweek.com/greg-abbott-fleeing-texas-democrats-will-arrested-return-state-1609070

Texas governor Greg Abbott said that Democratic lawmakers who have left the state can and "will be arrested" upon their return as he pushes ahead with changes in voting laws.

Abbott, a Republican, gave an interview to KVUE on Monday about the Democrats' decision to leave the state and whether the special session of the Texas legislature the governor called can go ahead.

Snip
KVUE asked Abbott if the Democratic walkout meant the voting bills - Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 3 - could not be passed and if he could do anything as governor to compel the lawmakers to return to the state.

Abbott said there "still remains plenty of time to pass not just the bills you mentioned but there's a lot of other bills on there."
=====
Update
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/13/texas-democrats-walkout-voting-bill-arrest/

A showdown in the Texas House was locked into place Tuesday after the chamber voted overwhelmingly to send law enforcement after Democrats who left the state a day earlier in protest of a GOP priority elections legislation.

More than 50 House Democrats left Monday for Washington, D.C., to deny the chamber a quorum — the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business — as it takes up voting restrictions and other Republican priorities in a special session.

That agenda, set by Gov. Greg Abbott, includes House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 1, the election legislation at hand that would make a number of changes to Texas' voting system, such as banning drive-thru and 24 hour voting options and further restricting the state's voting-by-mail rules. Over the weekend, both House and Senate committees advanced the election bills.

[Baltimike]

1. send in the National Guard President Biden. nt

[FBaggins]

8. To do what?

The state constitution says that they can be compelled to return and arrest is explicitly in the rules for that.

What would the Guard do?

The only option here (apart from losing the vote) is for the democrats involved to stay out of the state (and thus beyond the jurisdiction of anyone with the power to arrest them).

[Baltimike]

15. Abbott is under federal investigation.

Let's investigate his motives here.

[FBaggins]

17. Federal investigators can only look at federal crimes/regulations

How is this not entirely a state matter?

Frankly - your post sounds very Trump-esque. "I don't like what he said so 'lock him up!' "?

[MFM008]

23. Nothing on DU

Sounds like the maggot.
He and his supporters are trying to kill
Democracy as we know it.
That is not a "state" matter.
Why do you think the Texas dems are doing this
At all?

[hadEnuf]

34. Republicans will gleefully lock up all the Democrats any way they can.

And they are also solidly planning to take away certain American's right to vote.


Looking Trump-esque is the least of our worries.

[LanternWaste]

41. You've said that very thing to a number of posters.

"your post sounds very Trump-esque...."

You've said that very thing to a number of posters this year. Advertises more about you than you probably realize. Good luck and godspeed!

[LeftInTX]

24. No, he isn't...

It's the AG who is under investigation

[Dr. Strange]

37. What?

What is Abbott being investigated for?

[True Blue American]

2. Abbott has already

Ticked off the Republicans for cutting their salary. If they are not making money can Abbott force them to work for free?

[Ellipsis]

3. He doesn't has the authority.... the speaker needs to call for their arrest.

[Dreampuff]

5. Thank you for answering my question before I had to ask.

What would be the grounds for arrest?

[KS Toronado]

12. Using the filibuster against Abbott?

[FBaggins]

7. Yes and no

The speaker has already said that they will use all of the means under the state constitution and house rules to force them back... and that's the only one that is explicitly listed.

Doing so would involve state law enforcement - which couldn't happen if the governor opposed the action.

[berniesandersmittens]

25. Does this mean a "catch and release" scenario?

Even if they are immediately released, will they have a criminal arrest record?

[FBaggins]

27. No... they aren't committing a crime

The constitution empowers the remaining members with the power to "compel" their attendance in the chamber... which involves an "arrest" - but it isn't criminal and thus would not impact a record.

[Lucinda]

39. Thank you for the info!

❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[Roland99]

4. Anti-democracy fkers

[Evolve Dammit]

6. Gettin' ugly. Democracy is under direct assault.

[DFW]

9. Abbot's message to Texas Democrats, translated into English

Form the original Republicanese:

"Look, I am going to fix it so you can't vote in numbers significant enough to win any more elections in Texas. Get used to it."

[Scalded Nun]

10. Seems counter-productive. If they are all in jail how will the GOP get that elusive quorum?

[forthemiddle]

11. The won't be brought to jail

In the interview I saw he said they will be arrested, and brought to the Statehouse so the vote could be called.

[Towlie]

13. Eventually the GOP will simply stop recognizing all laws and rules, and just do whatever they want.

 
←

And Texas will probably be the first to do that. Then, if and when they succeed, the practice will spread across the red states.

[ego_nation]

35. Seems like things are going in that direction.

And I believe it will eventually lead to the end of the US.

[Trex666]

14. Well, then, they should never return to the state

So that the legislature can never operate again.

[FBaggins]

16. That's ridiculous

Not every district in the state is safe red or safe blue.

Never show up and you will eventually be replaced by someone from the other party.

[rockfordfile]

43. you got to be a troll

[Dustlawyer]

18. We are watching in real time what happens when a formerly deep red state is turning blue.

The Repugs cannot bear to lose power so they are cheating. No telling how much graft and corruption would be uncovered if the Democrats take power after decades of Repug rule.

[walpurgis]

19. If the democrats take power

Texas will finally understand what it feels like to live a better life.

[Martin68]

20. I hope the governor actually does try to arrest them. All hell will break loose!

[Demnation]

21. Just words. TX Gov has no authority to order the arrest of anyone, let alone members of government.

[FBaggins]

22. He doesn't have the authority to "order" them arrested... but he can say that they will be

Since the person who does have the authority to make the order has already said that it's coming - and the governor (in the person of state law enforcement) would be the one to carry it out.

[Demnation]

31. This is not correct.

[FBaggins]

33. There is now an arrest warrant ordering DPS to round them up.

So which part is not correct?

[orangecrush]

38. Goodbye

Enough is enough.

[LakeArenal]

26. Wisconsin Dems did the same in 2010

Same threats and retaliation. While admirable it just postponed the gutting of Wisconsin unions and human services.

My heart goes out with this attempt to save Democracy.

[FBaggins]

28. It does more than just postpone the inevitable

It draws attention to the issue and sends the message to their base that they are "fighting" with every tool they have available.

Failure to do so can have a negative impact on turnout.

[LakeArenal]

29. Democrats know their base. But I agree it shows some fight.

[Warpy]

30. Yes, because facing arrest on their return will make them want to go home

Of all the stupid fuckers Texas has ever elected, Abbot takes the prize.

[budkin]

32. Do it, I DARE YOU

For real.

[bucolic_frolic]

36. Seem on a bumper sticker, last week

I was born OK ... the first time.

[Skittles]

40. I can't think of anything better to increase voter turnout

DO IT YOU CORRUPT MOFO

[Laura PourMeADrink]

42. +1