AUSTIN (KXAN) — U.S Senator John Cornyn (R) announced Thursday morning that FBI Director Kash Patel has approved his request for federal assistance in locating Texas House Democrats who fled the state to prevent a vote on mid-decade redistricting legislation.
"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," Cornyn said in a statement Thursday morning.
The announcement follows Cornyn's August 5 letter to Patel requesting the FBI "take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state."
Notably, Cornyn's Thursday statement specifically mentioned FBI assistance in "locating" the lawmakers but did not reference arrests, despite his original letter requesting help with both locating and arresting democrats.
More than 50 Texas House Democrats left the state Sunday to deny the Republican-controlled legislature a quorum needed to advance new congressional maps. The lawmakers traveled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.
Texas Democrats leave the state to block vote on redrawn House map backed by Trump"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," Cornyn said in his Thursday statement.
In his original letter, Cornyn expressed concern that lawmakers who "solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses."
The senator characterized the situation as "time-sensitive," noting the Texas Legislature is currently in a special session called by Governor Greg Abbott with approximately two weeks remaining.
President Trump previously indicated support for federal involvement, saying the FBI "may have to" help bring back the Democrats who left to stop the Republican redistricting effort.
The proposed redistricting plan could potentially shift five congressional districts to Republican advantage. Democrats have defended their departure as a last resort to prevent what they characterize as partisan gerrymandering.
Texas House committee advances congressional redistricting planTexas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has issued civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers, though legal experts note enforcement limitations outside state boundaries.
The Texas House has been unable to achieve a quorum since the Democrats' departure, preventing legislative business from proceeding during the special session.
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