NEW: Texas House Approves Motion To Arrest Democrat Lawmakers Over Midterm Stunt

Texas Republican lawmakers passed legislation on Monday threatening Democratic colleagues with arrest and forcible return after they fled the state to prevent a quorum from being called in the state’s race to redistrict its congressional seats ahead of the 2026 election.

In an 85-6 vote, nearly all Republicans voted to send members of the Texas Rangers out to search for Democratic state officials who fled to Chicago, Boston, and other blue enclaves as they sought sanctuary from their day jobs. Critics accused the minority party members of disenfranchising voters while national Democrats condemned Republicans for jamming through a redistricting plan that could add as many as five reliably red seats to Congress next year.

The bill directs the Sergeant at Arms “and any officers appointed by her” to secure the attendance of Democratic lawmakers “whose absence is not excused,” the bill reads.

“Under warrant of arrest, if necessary,” a lawmaker read from the Texas legislative chamber on Monday.

Texas’ redistricting plan comes at the start of an unruly August recess, where Democrats were already planning to return home to antagonize Republican members of Congress about voting for the Big, Beautiful Bill. Now, they are pivoting to focus on electoral math and the intricacies of gerrymandering, issues that may cause the eyes of most voters to glaze over.

Unbowed, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) arrived in Austin last week, where he encouraged Texas Democrats to throw up every possible roadblock to a plan that may cement GOP control of the lower chamber.

“This is a moment that requires a forceful on-the-ground response, and that is why I am traveling to Texas to convene with members of the Texas House and Senate delegations as well as our Democratic members representing Texas [in Congress],” Jeffries said in a statement at the time.

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The proposed map adds five new districts that President Donald Trump carried by 10 points or more in 2024, making it virtually impossible for Democrats to win them back unless Texas voters’ support for Republicans collapses like never before. That would tilt the state’s congressional delegation to 30 Republicans and eight Democrats, up from 25 and 12, respectively.

But such an audacious power grab has even provoked consternation within GOP ranks. On Monday, California Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) introduced legislation that would ban all 50 states from redistricting before the 2030 census, throwing a wrench into his party’s plans.

Kiley cited his own experience in California and warned of a “redistricting war” between red and blue states if the Texas plan is passed into law; in other words, critics claim, Kiley is merely trying to save his own seat.

“I want to be clear: I don’t love what Texas is doing either, although there are some pretty key differences,” he said, pointing out his state’s existing requirement for an independent commission as well as California’s “political imbalance” that he claimed is more polarizing than party positions in Texas.

Texas lawmakers residing in Boston are preparing to hold a press conference in front of the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, according to Politico, a sign that they may ultimately be found and dragged back home, kicking and screaming, whether they show up or not.