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The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a district judge’s temporary restraining order that blocked the threat of arrest for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state last month.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to arrest the nearly 60 Democratic representatives who fled the Texas legislature in order to prevent Republicans from establishing a quorum and passing a disputed voting reform bill.
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The state Supreme Court’s ruling came after Abbott and Speaker Dade Phelan on Monday asked the court to overturn the protection order, meaning lawmakers could all be arrested if they returned from their month-long hiatus.
“The Texas Supreme Court quickly rejected this dangerous attempt by the Texas Democrats to undermine our Constitution and avoid doing the job they were elected to do,” Abbott spokeswoman Renae told Fox News. Eze. “We look forward to the Supreme Court upholding the rule of law and stopping yet another blockade tactic for Texas Democrats.”
Lawmakers who have already returned to the Lone Star State could be arrested if they refuse to travel to Austin to form a quorum of their own accord.
We would “go to a jail, we would go to the chambers of the House where they would essentially force a quorum,” State Representative Ron Reynolds explained in a statement. published video on his Twitter. “They would take us against our will upstairs in the House.”
The Texas legislature needs at least 51 Democratic lawmakers to return to Texas to establish a quorum – a move many Democrats still adamantly reject.
“We will continue to fight the Republican Voter Suppression Bills,” Reynolds told Fox News. “We plan to stay in Washington to advocate for federal voting rights legislation until the US Senate takes the August recess later this week.”
TEXAS DEMS STARTS RETURNING HOME AFTER ARRESTS OBTAINED BY HOLD ORDERS
Reynolds has become a leading figure in Texas efforts to counter GOP voting legislation which Democrats say unfairly targets black and brown voting rights.
The Texas lawmaker, who was arrested last week while protesting the US Senate to pass voting reform, said state lawmakers are relying on federal reform to ban voting policies restrictive.
Texas Republicans argue that the laws would only secure the elective process.
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“We are optimistic that Leader Chuck Schumer will bring the Human Resources Bill to the People for a vote this week,” Reynolds said.
Twenty-five Texas Democrats remained in Washington, DC while at least four lawmakers returned to Austin, including state officials James Talarico, Joe Moody, Mary Gonzalez, and Art Fierro.
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