Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
While Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continue efforts to locate and potentially prosecute Democratic lawmakers who left the state to break quorum, Texas Democrats are highlighting a separate and urgent concern: the state’s failure to provide disaster relief one month after deadly flooding in Central Texas.
On Sunday, Texas Democrats again broke quorum during the special legislative session. According to a statement from the Texas Democratic Party, the move was intended to “put a stop to Governor Greg Abbott’s desperate ploy to rig the maps in favor of Republicans.” The walkout, which prevents the House from conducting official business, comes amid rising tensions over redistricting efforts and stalled aid to flood-affected communities.
In their statement, Democrats accused Republican leadership of using the flood disaster as political cover to push partisan legislative goals. “Exactly one month after deadly flooding in Central Texas, Republicans have shamelessly used the suffering of Texas families as a pretext for redrawing congressional maps, while refusing to use their power to immediately deliver aid,” the Texas Democratic Party stated.
The debate has extended beyond the state level. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin issued a statement sharply criticizing Governor Abbott’s handling of both the quorum break and the disaster response. “One month after a natural disaster devastated communities in Kerr County, grieving families are still begging for help because Governor Greg Abbott would rather exploit their pain than deliver relief,” Martin said.
He continued, “Let’s be absolutely clear: Greg Abbott only called this sham special session to attack Texans’ rights and rig congressional maps to stave off Republicans’ looming defeat in the midterms.” Martin also claimed that the Governor has the legal authority to allocate relief funds unilaterally. “With a stroke of his pen, Abbott could use his authority as governor to deliver relief to Texas families. Instead, he has turned the state government into a political instrument to expand Donald Trump’s power — while using Texas flood victims as collateral.”
At the same time, Governor Abbott has intensified his efforts to hold Democratic lawmakers accountable for their absence. The Governor recently directed the Texas Rangers to investigate those who fled the state for potential violations of Texas law, including bribery. “That investigation should extend to anyone who aided or abetted such potential crimes,” Abbott said in a public statement. He asserted that soliciting or accepting funds to skip a vote or evade legislative duties may constitute bribery under Texas law.
Digital ads launched by the Governor’s campaign further accuse Democrats of dereliction of duty, framing their absence as politically motivated obstruction.
Texas Democrats argue their actions are rooted in protecting voters’ rights and defending vulnerable communities. “Texas Democrats are courageously using every tool at their disposal to stand up for those families and all Texans now under assault by the Republican Party,” Martin said.
As both parties dig in, the standoff highlights competing priorities: Republican leadership pushing to proceed with redistricting and enforce legislative participation, and Democrats insisting that disaster relief and voter protections should take precedence. For residents of flood-affected regions like Kerr County, the political impasse leaves urgent questions unanswered and critical aid delayed.
