Republicans Trying to Start a Civil War in Texas

[MontyPython]

grok: Texas House Authority: These warrants are executed by the House sergeant-at-arms or state troopers, like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), but only apply within Texas state lines.

Gov Abbott has charged them with bribery hence Federal officials can be used in a federal crime as bribery.

Highlighted the important part for you.

So, frankly, the Texas GOP can actually do nothing other than threaten the Dems, although terminating their service somehow seems like an option (obviously that would be litigated). As for bribery charges , that requires what's called "evidence".

 

[NorthDallas40]

grok: Texas House Authority: The Texas House can issue civil arrest warrants to compel the attendance of absent members when a quorum is not met, as seen in the 2025 event where the House voted 85-6 to issue warrants for Democrats who left to block a redistricting vote. These warrants are executed by the House sergeant-at-arms or state troopers, like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), but only apply within Texas state lines.

Gov Abbott has charged them with bribery hence Federal officials can be used in a federal crime as bribery.

Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting

The warrants apply only within state lines, making them largely symbolic as most of the legislators in question decamped to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.

www.texastribune.org

No they are not currently charged with bribery.

After the House adjourned Monday, Abbott announced he had directed the Texas Rangers to investigate whether any Democratic lawmakers had violated bribery laws, alleging that they and anyone who financially assisted them in traveling out of state could be culpable. Legal experts said that would be difficult to prove in court.

 

[jmacvols1]

Highlighted the important part for you.

So, frankly, the Texas GOP can actually do nothing other than threaten the Dems, although terminating their service somehow seems like an option (obviously that would be litigated).

if the Dems are charged with a federal crime as bribery the FBI can go after them.


grok: Governor Greg Abbott’s lawsuit to remove Texas State Representative Gene Wu for alleged abandonment and bribery, filed on August 5, 2025, with the Texas Supreme Court, is a legally permissible executive action seeking a judicial remedy,

.....waiting for Texas Supreme Court to decide.

 

[McDad]

This seems like such a simple fix to me. Of course, this is politics so there is no motivation to fix something that can be a campaign and fund raising issue in perpetuity.

The fix: Votes are held and pass / fail based on the representatives in attendance at the time of vote. Rs or Ds fleeing become a non issue because the vote will pass in their absence. Some provision for absentee votes can be outlined as well.

 

[NorthDallas40]

This seems like such a simple fix to me. Of course, this is politics so there is no motivation to fix something that can be a campaign and fund raising issue in perpetuity.

The fix: Votes are held and pass / fail based on the representatives in attendance at the time of vote. Rs or Ds fleeing become a non issue because the vote will pass in their absence. Some provision for absentee votes can be outlined as well.

That would fix it however it would require modifying the state constitution. I don’t know off hand what the bar is to pass a change.

I’ll also submit they actually don’t want to change it because then it takes away their drama stage.

 

[85SugarVol]

grok: Texas House Authority: The Texas House can issue civil arrest warrants to compel the attendance of absent members when a quorum is not met, as seen in the 2025 event where the House voted 85-6 to issue warrants for Democrats who left to block a redistricting vote. These warrants are executed by the House sergeant-at-arms or state troopers, like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), but only apply within Texas state lines.

Gov Abbott has charged them with bribery hence Federal officials can be used in a federal crime as bribery.

Governor Abbott has charged them with a Federal crime.

So much fail in one statement. Impressive.

 

[hog88]

grok: Texas House Authority: The Texas House can issue civil arrest warrants to compel the attendance of absent members when a quorum is not met, as seen in the 2025 event where the House voted 85-6 to issue warrants for Democrats who left to block a redistricting vote. These warrants are executed by the House sergeant-at-arms or state troopers, like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), but only apply within Texas state lines.

Gov Abbott has charged them with bribery hence Federal officials can be used in a federal crime as bribery.

1. It's not a criminal matter
2. It's not a federal matter
3. They have not been charged with bribery (yet) so see #1

 

[hog88]

This seems like such a simple fix to me. Of course, this is politics so there is no motivation to fix something that can be a campaign and fund raising issue in perpetuity.

The fix: Votes are held and pass / fail based on the representatives in attendance at the time of vote. Rs or Ds fleeing become a non issue because the vote will pass in their absence. Some provision for absentee votes can be outlined as well.

Requiring a quorum protects the minority from being cut out. Votes held in secret or even a governor having his opposition detained while a vote is being held.

 

[volfanhill]

Governor Abbott has charged them with a Federal crime.

So much fail in one statement. Impressive.

He should ask grok how many times he's been wrong in this thread

 

[MontyPython]

if the Dems are charged with a federal crime as bribery the FBI can go after them.


grok: Governor Greg Abbott’s lawsuit to remove Texas State Representative Gene Wu for alleged abandonment and bribery, filed on August 5, 2025, with the Texas Supreme Court, is a legally permissible executive action seeking a judicial remedy,

.....waiting for Texas Supreme Court to decide.

Charging someone with bribery charges requires a judge to issue a bench warrant for their arrest. A judge won’t do so without probable cause that bribery has occurred. Probable cause in turn requires the charging party to provide solid evidence of said alleged bribery.

All I’ve seen to date is rhetorical accusations by the GOP leadership. If you have a link to more definitive evidence please post it.

 

[MontyPython]

This seems like such a simple fix to me. Of course, this is politics so there is no motivation to fix something that can be a campaign and fund raising issue in perpetuity.

The fix: Votes are held and pass / fail based on the representatives in attendance at the time of vote. Rs or Ds fleeing become a non issue because the vote will pass in their absence. Some provision for absentee votes can be outlined as well.

No the issue is the quorum requirement I think.

 

[Septic]

I find it ironic that the same people that are offended by Texas adding congressional seats based on census results are also offended that the .gov is sending back illegal aliens that would otherwise be counted in the census and used to add congressional seats.

 

[McDad]

No the issue is the quorum requirement I think.

I bypassed that issue (assuming I understand it correctly) since my fix would require an amendment to the state constitution, too.

My post was more about the idea than thinking things would change for the better.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Didn’t they already do this once?

2021.

 

[McDad]

I find it ironic that the same people that are offended by Texas adding congressional seats based on census results are also offended that the .gov is sending back illegal aliens that would otherwise be counted in the census and used to add congressional seats.

You find it ironic because you think those people are pursuing an "increase Congressional seats at all costs" strategy?

 

[chuckiepoo]

True.

But you start getting warrants and arresting people and it raises to a new level.

Same thing happened in 2021. Relax. It’s like gerry mandering is a new thing. Illinois has made it an art form. Got a theme song for all the libtards:

 

[KB5252]

It's a never-ending cycle where all these people who profess to hate how DC operates, completely enable DC when it's their turn.

Agree completely......

But I'll add one thing here because I think it's important. Saw a news article where Colbert, to his credit, called out Illinois politician on his show for gerrymandered districts in his state.

Then the politician responded by pivoting to this being about protecting minorities....... Let's be clear, this isn't about protecting anyone. It's about politics and control.

 

[jmacvols1]

1. It's not a criminal matter
2. It's not a federal matter
3. They have not been charged with bribery (yet) so see #1

RIght now they have till Friday to respond to the Texas Supreme court order, if not then the court can rule in Abbott's favor and Abbott can remove them. Seems right now they are holding off bribery charges till they see what happens Friday. TX Rangers are doing further investigations into bribery charges. Based on the Rangers' finding, Paxton can/will assemble a grand jury and get a conviction....but may not have to go this far depending on what happens Friday.

 

[volinbham]

This seems like such a simple fix to me. Of course, this is politics so there is no motivation to fix something that can be a campaign and fund raising issue in perpetuity.

The fix: Votes are held and pass / fail based on the representatives in attendance at the time of vote. Rs or Ds fleeing become a non issue because the vote will pass in their absence. Some provision for absentee votes can be outlined as well.

I assume there's some scenario where a minority party could be the majority in attendance so the quorum rule is to insure a small % of the body doesn't override the majority of members

 

[Septic]

You find it ironic because you think those people are pursuing an "increase Congressional seats at all costs" strategy?

I find it ironic because of the hypocrisy.

 

[volinbham]

spitballin' an idea for the gerrymandering

In the preceding Congressional election the % of R v D votes roughly determines the current election split in House seats. So if in 2024 IL had 35% R votes for total house seats and 65% for D then in 2026 the House seats would be split accordingly with tie going to majority. If IL had 10 seats then they would be split 3 R/7 D. Keep the districts the same and run individual races. If the results came out with Ds actually winning 8 seats then the closest district would be awarded to the R to keep the overall state split at the 3/7. If the results came out with Rs actually wining 4 seats then the closest district would be awarded to the D candidate.

Yes this would mean a district (or more) would end up with a representative that did not win the vote but it would nullify the effect where a state ends up with a big difference in party vote vs # of seats (eg some states have no R reps or no D reps).

 

[volinbham]

I find it ironic because of the hypocrisy.

 

[NorthDallas40]

RIght now they have till Friday to respond to the Texas Supreme court order, if not then the court can rule in Abbott's favor and Abbott can remove them. Seems right now they are holding off bribery charges till they see what happens Friday. TX Rangers are doing further investigations into bribery charges. Based on the Rangers' finding, Paxton can/will assemble a grand jury and get a conviction....but may not have to go this far depending on what happens Friday.

LMAO that’s a whole buncha wishful thinking based off of the right wing whack job echo chamber sources you’re projecting there, lapdog

 

[chuckiepoo]

LMAO that’s a whole buncha wishful thinking based off of the right wing whack job echo chamber sources you’re projecting there, lapdog

 

[volfanhill]

Based on the Rangers' finding, Paxton can/will assemble a grand jury and get a conviction....but may not have to go this far depending on what happens Friday.

That's is reckless baseless speculation by you based on nothing