Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has made it clear to the Democrat state legislators who ran away just about two weeks ago that he isn't putting up with their nonsense after they withheld a quorum to scuttle Abbott's special session to redistrict the Lone Star state.
As my colleague Bonchie wrote on Tuesday, they folded like a flock of origami storks sooner than expected while on their virtue signaling vacay to Illinois and other blue, safe haven states:
According to ABC News, the runaways who claimed to be saving "democracy" are heading back to their home state early, claiming to have accomplished their goal of raising "awareness" about gerrymandering. That's a very polite way of saying they failed miserably.
ABC13 has confirmed with multiple sources that House Democrats will return to Texas.
Eyewitness News has not confirmed the date, but we do know that Democrats believe they've accomplished their mission by killing the first special session and by raising national awareness about the mid-decade redistricting effort.
It is unclear which day they will be in Austin at the Capitol, but they stress that they will push for Hill Country flooding relief to be the priority.
Another national Democrat who isn't exactly covering herself in glory is Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who has been all in for the state legislators' oh-so-righteous cause to keep districts gerrymandered for Democrat electoral victories.
READ MORE: New: Texas Democrats Who Fled to Stop Redistricting Just Folded Like a Bad Poker Hand
Watch: Conservative Commentator Crashes Jasmine Crockett's Town Hall, and Absolute Chaos Ensues
Then on Friday, Gov. Abbott pulled another sly move on the Dems, by calling a new surprise, special session to hammer out the redistricting. The lawmaker shared Republicans' priorities in a proclamation:
Abbott’s proclamation was largely the same as the first one, which lays out 19 agenda items, including redistricting and disaster relief for Central Texas flood victims.
“Delinquent House Democrats ran away from their responsibility to pass crucial legislation to benefit the lives of Texans,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “We will not back down from this fight. That’s why I am calling them back today to finish the job.”
But there still wasn't a quorum on Friday, when Speaker Dustin Burrows tried to begin the second special session. Burrows told Politico, in the story linked above, that "he expects the House will reach quorum on Monday — and sent members in attendance home for the weekend."
What happens next is very much up to the remaining runaways, he said, reminding them that Abbott and Texas AG Paxton will not hesitate to have them arrested by the Sergeant at Arms and returned to the House chamber, if they are discovered inside the Texas borders in the meantime.
SEE: New: Texas House Passes Arrest Warrants for Democrats Who Fled, Gov. Abbott Takes Immediate Action
Burrows didn't mince words:
Those who have refused to make quorum, I’m sure you’re missing home. Do not think you have permission to return to Texas and enjoy a peaceful weekend before finally showing up to work.
This is the way, readers. As this is a developing story, we'll have more updates as the story unfolds in the coming hours and days.
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