In a recent development, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an inquiry into a political group headed by former Democratic presidential contender Beto ORourke.
The organization is accused of assisting Texas Democrats in their efforts to obstruct the introduction of newly proposed congressional maps.
As reported by One America News, this move comes amidst a continuing political stalemate in Texas over a Republican-led redistricting plan. The plan is designed to secure up to five additional GOP-held congressional seats in the 2026 midterms. In an attempt to prevent the legislative proceedings, Texas House Democrats left the state on Sunday, visiting various locations, including Illinois.
Paxton, in a press release issued on Wednesday, suggested that the organization led by Beto ORourke, Powered by People, may have contravened state laws concerning bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office. He referred to "public reports" that insinuated the group was financially backing, or "bankrolling," the Texas House Democrats.
Powered By People, a PAC associated with ORourke, was established in late 2019 and is supported by thousands of volunteers nationwide. The Texas Tribune was the first to report the organizations alleged involvement in funding the Democrats' out-of-state travel.
In response to Paxtons announcement, ORourke retorted, The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats. Lets stop these thugs before they steal our country.
Paxton, the incumbent Republican AG currently contesting Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in the primary, has vowed to seek the expulsion of Democrat lawmakers who fled the state over the weekend. Their departure was aimed at denying the legislature a quorum and blocking the passage of a Republican-drawn congressional map that could potentially gain the GOP up to five additional House seats in the midterms.
Moreover, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) has called for their arrest, contending that the lawmakers violated their oath of office by refusing to participate in the special session he convened to push the redistricting agenda.
On Tuesday, Abbott also attempted to hasten the standoff by filing an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court against Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu.
He stated, I made clear in a formal statement on Sunday, August?3, that if the Texas House Democrats were not in attendance when the House reconvened at 3:00?PM on Monday, August?4, then action would be taken to seek their removal. They have not returned and have not met the quorum requirements."
"Representative Wu and the other Texas House Democrats have shown a willful refusal to return, and their absence for an indefinite period of time deprives the House of the quorum needed to meet and conduct business on behalf of Texans. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences.
Paxton also issued a stern statement, warning of the gravity of the situation. He said, Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation. These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it.
Paxton further revealed that he had issued a Request to Examine, asking the group to provide his office with records and correspondence related to their role in the quorum breach.
In a separate incident, the St. Charles Police Department in Illinois reported a bomb threat at a hotel where the Texas Democrats were staying. Approximately 400 people were evacuated during the search, but were allowed to return to the hotel about two hours after the initial evacuation.
The premises were cleared by law enforcement, and all guests, including the Texas Democrat lawmakers, were allowed to return safely. Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) stated that he was aware of the threat and had instructed the Illinois State Police to take necessary measures to ensure public safety.
A group of Texas House Democratic leaders, including Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Ramon Romero, and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, stated that a threat was made against the members on Wednesday morning. They reassured that everyone was safe, saying, We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety.
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