AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Friday asking the Texas Supreme Court to remove 13 House Democrats from their legislative positions.
The lawsuit targets the Democrats’ ongoing walkout, which has prevented the House from reaching a quorum needed to advance mid-decade redistricting efforts led by the Republican majority.
The Democratic lawmakers staged the walkout in protest of redistricting proposals they say unfairly favor Republican candidates and dilute minority voting power. Their absence has halted the legislative session, blocking the redistricting agenda.
Paxton’s lawsuit claims the Democrats violated their constitutional duties by refusing to attend the session, thereby obstructing the legislative process. The attorney general argues their removal is necessary to restore the House’s ability to function and pass legislation.
The 13 Democrats maintain their walkout is a legitimate protest against what they describe as a gerrymandering effort by Republican leadership. They assert that their absence highlights concerns over fair representation in the redistricting plans.
Governor Greg Abbott has expressed support for the redistricting proposals and called on Democrats to return to the House and participate in the legislative process. He has emphasized the need for updated maps that reflect Texas’s population growth.
The Texas Supreme Court’s ruling on Paxton’s lawsuit could significantly alter the House’s makeup and influence the progress of redistricting.
