Texas Redistricting Standoff: Supreme Court to Expel 13 House Democrats?

Introduction

In the latest twist of the ongoing redistricting standoff in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked the state's Supreme Court to expel 13 House Democrats who fled to Washington D.C. in order to block a GOP-led voting bill. This comes after Governor Greg Abbott previously asked the court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader, for breaking quorum. However, Paxton has disputed the governor's authority to make such a request.

Key Details

The 13 House Democrats who fled the state are currently facing arrest and a potential loss of their paychecks. This is due to a long-standing rule in the Texas Constitution that states any member of the Legislature who is absent from the state for more than 10 days without permission from the majority of their chamber can be arrested and brought back to the state Capitol. However, the Democrats have argued that they were forced to leave in order to protect voting rights in the state.

Impact

The ongoing redistricting standoff in Texas has brought the issue of voting rights to the forefront, with both parties fiercely debating over the proposed voting bill. The Democrats' decision to flee the state has led to increased tensions and legal battles between the two sides. If the Texas Supreme Court decides to expel the 13 House Democrats, it could set a dangerous precedent for future political standoffs and