Abbott Issues Statement On Special Session
Well, here we go again — Texas Democrats pulling their favorite disappearing act. Only this time, Governor Greg Abbott is telling them the party ends Monday at 3 p.m. sharp.
In a blistering statement, Abbott warned the runaway Democrats that if they don’t return to the Texas House by the deadline, they could face the ultimate consequence: losing their seats. He cited a 2021 Texas Attorney General opinion (KP-0382) that gives him a legal pathway to petition the courts to declare their seats vacant for what he’s calling “abandonment.” And that’s just for starters. He’s also threatening to unleash felony charges if Democrats are using their fundraising efforts to cover the $500-a-day fines they’re racking up for breaking quorum — a tactic Abbott suggests could cross the line into bribery.
BREAKING: @GregAbbott_TX says he will remove from office any Democrats that do not show up tomorrow #txlege pic.twitter.com/VKBPx9Xjru
— Brandon Waltens (@bwaltens) August 4, 2025
“Real Texans do not run from a fight,” Abbott declared. “But that’s exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did.”
The governor’s making it clear: This isn’t just some slap-on-the-wrist situation. He’s dangling everything from financial penalties to full-on removal from office — not to mention tracking them down and having them arrested if necessary. And yes, the Texas Constitution does give him tools for that. “This truancy ends now,” Abbott said, signaling that this isn’t an empty threat.
If this all feels familiar, that’s because it is. In 2021, the very same crowd — including now-U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett — bolted the state for 38 days to block Republican legislation. Back then, Abbott threatened similar measures but stopped short of using the so-called nuclear option. This time? He’s setting deadlines, naming potential legal pathways, and even throwing out the prospect of extradition for any lawmakers who try hiding out in another state.
If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go. The people of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and hide like cowards. Lawmakers must answer the special session call and pass the… https://t.co/sxLvZCIOB1
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 15, 2025
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is backing him up with fire of his own, vowing to “assist local, state, and federal authorities in hunting down and compelling the attendance of anyone who abandons their office and their constituents for cheap political theater.”
And that’s really what this is — political theater, plain and simple. Democrats are once again stomping their feet and fleeing rather than doing their jobs. But the thing about unruly children is that if you don’t impose consequences, they’ll keep misbehaving. And if Democrats keep getting away with this in Texas, you can bet lawmakers in other states will start pulling the same stunts every time a vote doesn’t go their way.