Asia FX weakens slightly, rupee recovers from record low as RBI holds rates
Investing.com -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a vote on new congressional maps.
"Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans," Abbott said in a statement Monday. "I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans."
The governor’s action intensifies a standoff with Democrats with two weeks remaining in the state legislature’s special session. The session was also scheduled to address other issues including a cannabis ban and last month’s deadly floods in central Texas.
Republican lawmakers proposed a redistricting plan last week that Democrats characterize as a gerrymander designed to give more seats in the US Congress to the GOP.
The redistricting effort has gained national attention following the Democrats’ departure. President Donald Trump has made the revamp a priority to strengthen Republican power in the 2026 midterm elections. In response, Democratic governors including California’s Gavin Newsom and New York’s Kathy Hochul have discussed creating new maps in their own states.
"This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity," Gene Wu, the Democratic leader in the lower house of the Texas legislature, said at a news conference in Illinois after leaving the state. "We’re not walking out on our responsibilities; we’re walking out on a rigged system that refuses to listen to the people we represent."
By leaving Texas, Democrats have left the state legislature without the minimum number of lawmakers required to hold votes.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.