FBI Grants Cornyn’s Request to Track Fleeing Texas Democrats

What We Know

AUSTIN — U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced Thursday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has granted his request to assist Texas law enforcement in tracking down members of the Texas House of Representatives who fled the state to block legislative proceedings.

According to an official press release from Sen. Cornyn’s office, FBI Director Kash Patel approved the request to provide federal support in locating the lawmakers, who left the state on August 3, 2025, to deny quorum in the House and stall Republican-led redistricting and emergency relief bills. Some legislators are reportedly in New York and Illinois.

What They’re Saying

“I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,” said Sen. Cornyn, as quoted in the press release. “I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas. We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.”

Background

In a formal letter dated August 6, 2025, Sen. Cornyn urged FBI Director Patel to support Governor Greg Abbott and Texas law enforcement in efforts to arrest or locate Democratic legislators who crossed state lines to avoid their duties. Cornyn alleged that some may have committed criminal offenses, including bribery, by soliciting or accepting financial support to facilitate their departure.

The letter emphasized the time-sensitive nature of the special legislative session, which is scheduled to conclude in less than two weeks. Among the urgent matters pending are flood recovery aid for Kerrville and statewide redistricting measures.

Cornyn wrote that “federal resources are necessary to locate the out-of-state Texas legislators who are potentially acting in violation of the law,” citing the FBI’s jurisdiction when parties cross state lines to avoid testimony or legal process.

What’s Next

With the FBI now involved, coordination between federal agents and Texas law enforcement is expected to intensify. It remains unclear whether legal action will be taken against the lawmakers or whether the move is primarily meant to pressure them to return and restore quorum.

The standoff underscores the escalating political tensions in Texas and raises new questions about the balance between state autonomy and federal enforcement during legislative impasses.

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