Texas governor orders arrest of Democrats absent at redistricting vote
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The exodus by Democratic members of the Texas legislature was intended to deny Republicans the quorum necessary to vote on the redistricting plan, which President Donald Trump has championed.
By redrawing district lines in hopes of flipping some seats currently held by Democrats, the Republicans aim to protect the party's narrow US House of Representatives majority in next year's midterm elections.
At Monday's session the Republican speaker of the state House issued civil warrants for the Democrats - most of whom have gone to Illinois, New York or Massachusetts - to be brought back to Austin. But the orders apply only within the state, and breaking quorum is not a crime.
US President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. File photo: The Dallas Morning News via TNS
'To ensure compliance, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans,' Abbott said in a statement.
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