Gov. Greg Abbott: Democrat Lawmakers Who Fled State “Will Be Arrested”

Governor Greg Abbott isn’t playing any games with the Democrats who just fled Texas in order to avoid a special legislative session.

In his most recant interview when asked about what will happen to the Democrats who purposely left Texas to prevent a GOP election reform bill from getting passed, Governor Greg Abbott stated that they will be arrested.

Yes, you read that correctly, Abbott in his most recent interview was quoted saying “they (Democrats) will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done”.

Texas Governor went on to say “everybody who has a job must show up to do that job”.

Hats off to Governor Abbott for making Democrats actually  accountable for their actions.

Gov. Abbott: "As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done." https://t.co/g0eGyq2BHB #khou11 @KVUE

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) July 13, 2021

Democratic Texas lawmakers left the state to stop the GOP voting bill. In doing so, Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to arrest them once they return. https://t.co/hAI2aUbeLJ

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 13, 2021

Newsweek had more on Governor Abbott’s comments:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that Democratic lawmakers who have left the state can and “will be arrested” upon their return as he pushes ahead with changes in voting laws.

Abbott, a Republican, gave an interview to KVUE on Monday about the Democrats’ decision to leave the state and whether the special session of the Texas legislature the governor called can go ahead.

The Democratic legislators flew out of Texas to Washington, D.C. on Monday in order to deny the legislature the two-thirds quorum needed in order to conduct business and to pass legislation.

KVUE asked Abbott if the Democratic walkout meant the voting bills – Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 3 – could not be passed and if he could do anything as governor to compel the lawmakers to return to the state.

I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year,” the governor said.

This certainly is a showdown in TX over voting rights, with Gov. Abbott threatening to arrest the lawmakers when they return to the state. https://t.co/pPtobzeawQ

— Evan Lambert (@EvanLambertTV) July 13, 2021

KVUE shared this transcript of Abbott’s recent statements:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined KVUE live on Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss topics related to the special session, primarily the Texas Democrats fleeing to Washington, D.C., Monday in response to the elections bills moving through the session.

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The special session started on July 8, one day after Abbott released the agenda.

Here’s a full transcript of the live interview:

Is there anything you as governor can do to get the Democrats back to Texas?

“Answering your question, yes, there is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. Everybody who has a job must show up to do that job, just like your viewers on watching right now. State representatives have that same responsibility.”

While leaving Texas the Democrat lawmakers posted pictures on Twitter with big smiles, I’m sure when they land back in Texas those smiles will be wiped away.

ON PLANE TO DC: Texas Democratic lawmakers are leaving state to break quorum to stop Republican voting bill. Veteran Capitol observers say this is unchartered territory. Photo from Democrat on the plane. https://t.co/YOuOMb0A2m pic.twitter.com/abWoARvFIC

— ScottGordon (@ScottGordonDFW) July 12, 2021