Texas House Dems who fled Texas to deny the quorum the lower chamber needed to vote on an election bill can be arrested, the Texas Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, Texas Tribune reported.
The order also said the lower courts must revoke temporary restraining orders that blocked the arrests so far.
Justice Jimmy Blacklock said in the state Supreme Court’s opinion that Texas Constitution gives the authority to the House of Representatives to physically compel absent members to return to the state Capitol even if it means by arrest.
Yet, the lawmakers won’t be facing criminal charges or fines tough the warrant allows bringing them to the House chamber.
House Speaker Dade Phelan had previously signed arrest warrants for the 52 Democrats in an effort to compel them back to the state House, but those arrest warrants were temporarily blocked by lower courts.
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