Texas House Republicans voted to pursue civil arrest warrants for Democratic legislators who left the state to prevent the passage of a gerrymandered congressional map. This absence hindered the chamber's ability to reach a quorum and advance the redrawn map favored by President Trump and Governor Abbott. House Speaker Dustin Burrows signed the warrants, but their enforcement is largely symbolic since most Democrats are outside Texas and the warrants are civil. Abbott instructed state police to locate and return absent lawmakers who have avoided their legislative duties.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows officially signed the warrants following the vote, directing the sergeant of arms to pursue Democratic members who still remained in Texas.
"They've shirked their responsibilities under the direction and pressure of out-of-state politicians and activists who don't know the first thing about what's right for Texas," he said, per NBC News.
The House-issued warrants are largely seen as symbolic since they're only actionable within Texas state lines and most of the missing legislators are currently in other jurisdictions.
Following Burrows' action, Abbott 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."
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