Texas Gov. Abbott Seeks Penalties for Lawmakers Who Break Quorum

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking legislation that would punish lawmakers who “willfully absent themselves” during a session of the state Legislature to block the passage of bills, announcing the proposal about an hour after the Texas House approved a new GOP-backed congressional map Wednesday night.

The legislation, which Abbott added to the agenda topics to be discussed during the current special session of the state Congress, is needed to “ensure that rogue lawmakers cannot hijack the important business of Texans during a legislative session by fleeing the state,” Abbott said in a press release, according to the Texas Tribune.

House Democrats earlier this month left the state to prevent the passage of the redistricting bill, which was drafted by Republican leaders with input from President Donald Trump’s advisers. If approved by the state Senate, the legislation would redraw key congressional districts in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and along the Rio Grande Valley.

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