Dallas Governor Abbot Threatens to Fire 51 House Democrats

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an ultimatum to 51 Democratic members of the Texas House, warning that if the Democrats do not return to parliament by Monday, August 4, he will initiate legal proceedings to have them removed from office.

Abbott also accused the lawmakers of potentially committing felonies by fundraising to pay the Ksh64,500-per-day fines imposed under House rules for their absence.

Opposition to Abbot

At least 51 Texas House Democrats left the state, with some flying to Illinois and others to New York, to break quorum and block a vote on House Bill 4.

The Texas House requires 100 members present to conduct business, with 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats.

By leaving, the Democrats effectively stalled proceedings, aiming to prevent the redistricting vote scheduled for August 4, 2025, during a special session called by Governor Abbott that began on July 21, 2025.

The threat by Governor Greg is supported by a 2023 Texas Attorney General opinion (KP-0382), which allows the governor to determine that a legislator’s office is vacant due to a quorum break and initiate a quo warranto action in district court.

Additionally, the Texas Constitution (Article III, Section 13) permits the governor to fill vacancies in the Legislature, providing a legal framework for his actions.

Abbott also warned that lawmakers soliciting or accepting financial help to avoid fines or facilitate their absence may be violating bribery laws, potentially facing felony charges under Texas Penal Code § 36.02.

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This adds another layer of legal pressure, as Texas House rules, adopted in 2023, impose a KSh64,500 per-day fine on each lawmaker who absconds, with restrictions on using campaign funds to pay these fines.

Democrats’ Perspective

The Democrats view the proposed House Bill 4, which would redraw Texas congressional maps to potentially add five Republican seats, as a partisan power grab and an act of gerrymandering.

They argue that the new map dilutes the voting power of Black and Latino communities, a concern echoed in the Texas Tribune’s report that the Department of Justice flagged four districts for unconstitutionally combining these voter groups.

The involvement of President Trump in requesting the redistricting to bolster GOP seats for the 2026 midterms further fuels their narrative of an orchestrated attack on democratic representation.

Democrats assert that their absence is a principled stand to protect their constituents’ rights against what they perceive as an unconstitutional mid-decade redistricting.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder has also accused Governor Abbott of holding disaster flood relief hostage to steal five congressional seats, believing that the Republican agenda prioritizes political gain over public welfare.

The decision to break quorum comes with significant personal costs, as acknowledged by House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu.

As part-time lawmakers earning Ksh77,400 a month, they are away from their families and facing Ksh64,500-per-day fines under the new 2023 House rules.

This sacrifice reinforces their commitment to the cause, framing it as a battle worth fighting despite the financial and emotional toll.

Democrats’ Strategy

The tactic by Democrats could delay action for weeks, though past attempts have ultimately failed to block Republican legislation permanently.

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To mitigate the financial burden of fines and out-of-state stays, Democrats have been actively fundraising.

They raised over Ksh77.4 million in 2021 for a similar quorum break and are doing so again, with national Democrats like U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries visiting Austin to strategize.

They have found ways to circumvent campaign finance restrictions that prohibit using funds to pay fines, indicating a coordinated effort to sustain the walkout.

This long-game approach relies on sustained fundraising, external support, and the hope that legal challenges will delay or derail the redistricting process.

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