Dustin Barrows, the Texas House Speaker, used a clever legal maneuver to make sure that cowardly Democrats who’ve fled the state to avoid voting on a GOP lead redistricting won’t be paid during their absurd protests. Similarly, he mentioned that the FBI had been brought in to bring the situation to a close.
For context, the missing representatives must collect physical checks on Capitol grounds, and 30% of the monthly operating budget of quorum-breaking members will be withheld to protect taxpayer funds and ensure potential fines are paid.
In any case, beginning his remarks, Barrows addressed the disrespectful Democrats directly. He stated, “For those that have fled to Illinois or to California, be reminded that the FBI Assistant has reportedly been enlisted and their powers are not confined to any singular states.”
Explaining his innovative plan to end this pointless protest, the Texas House Speaker declared, “As far as new administrative policies in our chamber go, Comptroller Kelly Hancock and I have enacted a new policy stating that any member absent for the purpose of breaking quorum will no longer have their paycheck or per diem deposited electronically.”
Digging into the details of Texas law, which prevents him from completely withholding payments, he added, “While the Constitution forbids us from withholding pay, it does not dictate how we issue the pay. Those checks must now be picked up in person on Capitol grounds, effective immediately, starting today.”
Delivering another devastating blow, Burrows revealed, “To safeguard taxpayer dollars and account for forthcoming liabilities under Rule five, section three of House rules, which authorizes fines for members absent without leave. 30% of each quorum-breaking member’s monthly operating budget will be reserved and made unavailable for expenditure.”
Other Texas officials, such as Attorney General Ken Paxton, have issued scathing remarks about the Democrats who have run away from their duty. As we reported, Paxton stated, “Any Democrat coward breaking the law …will be held accountable. Texas cannot be bought.” Continuing his verbal beatdown, Paxton said, “Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials.”
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Promising that he would punish any violation of the law, the AG continued his epic diatribe. Paxton pledged to, “Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don’t show up to work, you get fired.”
Watch the dramatic proclamation from Texas House Speaker Dustin Barrows here:
In another document, the hard-nosed official said that Texas Democrats may forfeit their office by fleeing from the state. He noted, “If the runaway members of the legislative minority do not return to the House and resume performance of their duties by the deadline, Attorney General Paxton will seek judicial relief confirming that their office is vacant.”
Featured image from embedded video