JUST IN: Abbott says he may treat fleeing lawmakers as having "forfeited" their offices and move to replace them

[In It to Win It]

Kyle Cheney
‪@kyledcheney.bsky.social‬

JUST IN: Abbott says he may treat fleeing lawmakers as having “forfeited” their offices and move to replace them. He also suggests they could be subject to felony charges if they accept payments to cover impending fines https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/08.03.2025_Quorum_Break_Statement_.pdf

NOTABLY the Paxton opinion that Abbott cites doesn’t actually say lawmakers who break quorum are removable — in fact it says this is a fact-specific question only resolvable by a court.

The opinion also does not say it’s unconstitutional to break quorum.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/opinion-files/opinion/2021/kp-0382.pdf

The opinion by Paxton explicitly takes no position on whether breaking quorum is unconstitutional because, as Paxton said, it was tied up in litigation at the time https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/opinion-files/opinion/2021/kp-0382.pdf

JUST IN: Abbott says he may treat fleeing lawmakers as having “forfeited” their offices and move to replace them. He also suggests they could be subject to felony charges if they accept payments to cover impending fines gov.texas.gov/uploads/file...

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social) 2025-08-04T03:10:00.274Z

[usonian]

1. So, they should go to Cancun?

Asking for a fiend.

[Frasier Balzov]

2. What would Rooster Cogburn say?

Would he say fill your hand your son of a bitch?

[live love laugh]

3. Fuck that muther....,

[Jack Valentino]

4. I think Abbott has "forfeited his office" by failing to support the

Constitution of the United States in numerous ways
(which as far as I know is still included in the Texas oath of office---
but I COULD be wrong!)

[AZJonnie]

5. Too bad Trump's toadies on SCOTUS have declared nothing is a bribe unless you take the dough BEFORE

you do the deed, and any reward from a contributor that comes in AFTER you did it? That's Hunky Dory! Not corrupt!

So, sucks to be you!