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On Monday, a Texas judge issued an order blocking the arrest of Democratic state lawmakers who broke quorum by leaving the state, paving the way for those who remain outside of Texas to return home without the threat of apprehension.
State District Judge Brad Urrutia granted the temporary restraining order late Sunday night restricting Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan from “detaining, confining or otherwise restricting” the free movement of House Democrats within the state or issuing any warrants ordering their confinement.
Last month, more than 50 House Democrats fled the state and traveled to Washington, D.C., during a 30-day special legislative session to block the passage of an elections bill they said would restrict voting access.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the arrest of the Democratic lawmakers as soon as they returned to the state, and Phelan signed a civil warrant for Rep. Philip Cortez after he returned to Austin from Washington in July only to leave the state capitol again a few days later.
“[T]he Speaker thinks he can wave his hand and have his political opponents rounded up and arrested. We’re watching a major political party backslide in real time from fair representation, the rule of law, and democracy itself,” said Dallas state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, one of the plaintiffs in the case.
Enrique Marquez, a Phelan spokesman, said in a statement: “Any legal filing that seeks to undermine the Texas Legislature and the Texas Constitution will be met with a swift response, and we are confident that the recent challenges made by a dwindling number of House Democrats to subvert the authority of the legislative branch will be overturned.”
“Angry Republican threats to dispatch troops to arrest, cuff, shake, frag in, and cabin duly-elected lawmakers isn’t just meant to chill our speech and impair our ability to represent our districts; it has left our families, friends, and neighbors anxious for our wellbeing and safety,” Representative Gina Hinojosa said in a statement on Monday.
“The men and women of Texas, many of whom are Black and Brown, Democrats, are not animals or property to be corralled by law enforcement and cabined against our will. It is morally wrong to believe otherwise,” Representative Trey Martinez said.
A second special session called by Abbott began on Saturday.
