As a political war wages on between Texas House democrats fleeing the state to block the passing of a new congressional map, the FBI has officially been tasked with bringing them back.
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According to a news release from U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), he sent a request Tuesday to FBI Director Kash Patel, “encouraging federal cooperation” in the matter.
The request was officially granted on Thursday, with Senator Cornyn expressing gratitude to the FBI for assisting in locating the Democratic lawmakers he described as “rogue legislators” and “runaways.”
“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” Sen. Cornyn said in the statement. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”
EXPLAINER: Denying quorum has been a Texas political strategy since 1870
The move comes as Governor Greg Abbott repeatedly warned that legal consequences would be faced for lawmakers who failed to return, including removal from office, felony charges, and extradition.
According to the letter sent to Patel, Cornyn notes concerns about lawmakers accepting funds to assist in efforts to break quorum, saying they “may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses.”
READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW (OR CLICK HERE)
Texas has a part-time Legislature where lawmakers receive $600 a month, plus an additional $221 for expenses each day they are in session.
A political group called Powered by People, led by former U.S. Rep Beto O’Rourke, gave money to the Texas House Democratic Caucus to help cover the up-front costs, according to a spokesperson for the group, this week for events in red states to fire up Democrats and encourage donations, but has not disclosed how much it has contributed.
MORE: Texas Democrats plea for donations to extend their walkout and block Trump’s redistricting plan
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested the FBI could be called to step in, saying, “They may have to. A lot of people are demanding they come back.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also said Wednesday he’s launching an investigation into whether O’Rourke’s group has committed bribery by a “financial influence scheme.”
In Tuesday’s letter to Patel, Cornyn called the issue “time sensitive” with two weeks left in the special session.
“The absence of a quorum prevents key votes on important areas of concern for Texans. For example, the recent Kerrville floods, which caused unbearable tragedy and destruction, is just one issue that needs to be addressed in this legislative session,” Cornyn concluded in the letter. “I urge you to work with Texas public officials to provide them the support they need.”
KPRC 2 has reached out to the FBI for a statement. The agency declined to comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.