FBI to Assist in Locating Texas Democrats Fleeing Redistricting Vote, Senator Cornyn Says

FBI Involvement in Texas Political Standoff

• FBI has approved Senator John Cornyn's request to help locate Texas House Democrats who fled the state.
• The Democrats left to block a vote on a Republican redistricting plan, holing up in states like Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts.
• The FBI's involvement stems from the Texas Department of Public Safety's jurisdictional limits, which are confined to within Texas.

Redistricting Special Session Dynamics

• The special session was called by the governor for 30 days, with a deadline towards the end of August.
• Democrats view the special sessions as partisan maneuvers rather than necessary legislative actions.
• Republican leadership has not taken punitive measures against Democrats such as stripping seniority or committee assignments.

Investigation into Democrat PAC

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating a political action committee, Powered by People, run by Democrat Bato Oor.
• Paxton alleges the PAC is illegally paying lawmakers to leave the state and derail the redistricting vote.
• Democrats who leave the state to prevent a quorum face a fine of $500 per day.

PAC's Response and Accusations

• Bato Oor confirmed his PAC is assisting Democrats with monetary needs, including flights, living expenses, and daily fines.
• Oor's team claims they are "keeping democracy alive" and pushing back against Paxton's bribery accusations.
• The situation involves significant back-and-forth and accusations between the Republican AG and the Democrat PAC.
• The exact level of FBI involvement, such as crossing state lines or physically apprehending lawmakers, remains unclear.