Texas Just Took the Most Savage Step Yet Against the Missing Lawmakers…

The Texas House has taken aggressive action against Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block voting legislation, voting to suspend their direct deposit privileges until they return to the Capitol.

Instead of electronic payments, absent members must now collect their paychecks in person at the Capitol in Austin, effectively forcing them to set foot back in Texas.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows also announced that 30% of each absent member’s monthly office budget will be withheld. This cut is meant to offset penalties and disrupt reimbursements, constituent services, and other office operations.

In addition, lawmakers who are absent without leave and hinder legislative proceedings will be fined \$500 for every day they remain away. These fines are rapidly accumulating for those still out of state.

The standoff, now weeks old, has drawn national attention. Supporters of the sanctions argue that the Democrats abandoned their responsibilities and should face financial consequences.

Critics, however, see the measures as political retaliation aimed at punishing dissent and silencing opposition to the voting legislation.

Governor Greg Abbott and legislative leaders have also issued civil arrest warrants for the absent Democrats, enforceable only within Texas, and are exploring possible removal from office. Legal experts caution that such steps face constitutional and jurisdictional challenges.