Texas governor vows continuous special sessions as legislature plans adjournment

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott pledged Tuesday to call unlimited special sessions after the legislature signaled plans to adjourn sine die Friday if Democratic lawmakers fail to return.

The announcement followed the Texas House and Senate indicating they would end the current session without setting a reconvening date if quorum cannot be reached due to Democrats not attending proceedings in protest of a Republican push to redraw the state's congressional map.

"I will call the Texas Legislature back immediately for Special Session #2," Abbott said in a statement, underlining that the agenda would remain identical, with potential additions.

He emphasized there would be "no reprieve for the derelict Democrats" who abandoned their duty to voters by fleeing the state.

Abbott, in a post on American social media company X, said Democrats could flee to another state but "can't outrun the will of Texans."

"I will continue to call special session after special session until we get this Texas first agenda passed," he said.

State House Democratic lawmakers departed from the state on Aug. 3, protesting the proposed redistricting plan and denying the chamber its required quorum.

The walkout has triggered retaliation. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton requested the state Supreme Court expel 13 Democrats from the House Friday.

Abbott filed an emergency petition last week seeking removal of Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu from office.

Senator John Cornyn said Thursday that FBI Director Kash Patel approved federal agents to assist Texas authorities in locating the absent Democratic lawmakers.