Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit in the state’s Supreme Court seeking to declare 13 Democratic House seats vacant, accusing the lawmakers of abandoning their duties by fleeing Texas to block a quorum. Paxton claims the legislators’ prolonged absences, defiance of arrest warrants, and public refusal to return constitute a “flagrant abandonment of office” and a betrayal of voters. The dispute stems from a Democratic walkout aimed at stopping a special session agenda, including GOP-led redistricting that could add five Republican seats. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has halted direct deposits for absent members, requiring paychecks to be collected in person. Meanwhile, Republicans have enlisted the FBI’s help in tracking down the Democrats, many of whom traveled to Chicago to avoid arrest and delay legislative action.
