Texas Supreme Court to Allow Arrest of Democrats Who Fled State to Block Election Reform; Reversing Austin Order, and related stories

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Texas Supreme Court to Allow Arrest of Democrats Who Fled State to Block Election Reform

The Texas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to allow for the arrest or detention of Democratic legislators who fled the state to obstruct an election-reform bill spearheaded by the GOP.

Republican governor Greg Abbott vowed to send out warrants for the arrest of the Democratic defectors upon their return and force the chamber to conduct business to advance the legislation.

On Sunday, a state district judge gifted the House Democrats a temporary restraining order prohibiting their detainment, confinement, or arrest for two weeks. Abbott and House speaker Dade Phelan petitioned the high court Monday to overturn the arrest freeze from the lower court, according to the Texas Tribune. Granting them their request, Tuesday’s decision from the Texas supreme court reverses the earlier order protecting the Democrats from arrest, at least for now.

The House Democrats involved in the lawsuit have a deadline of Thursday at 4 p.m. to respond to the court. --->READ MORE HERE

Texas Supreme Court Allows Arrest Warrants for Absent Democrats, Reversing Austin Order:

Yesterday, a Travis County judge blocked Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) from arresting Democrats that fled the capitol to break quorum.

Now, in a quick legal riposte, the Supreme Court of Texas has temporarily reversed the decision — a preliminary win for Abbott and Phelan.

The court stayed the Austin decision this morning, granting Abbott’s and Phelan’s request to hold the restraining order.

“Centuries of historical practice establish that courts have no business pasing on a legislature’s actions in ensuring a quorum,” the two state leaders wrote in their petition for a writ of mandamus.

“The history and tradition of the state and federal legislatures confirm that the House’s actions do not violate the U.S. Constitution. Texas and at least forty-one other states have similar compulsion-of-attendance provisions in their Constitutions.” --->READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to related stories:

Texas Supreme Court allows for arrest of Democrats who don't show up to legislature

Texas Supreme Court rules state Democrats can be arrested and brought to Capitol

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