Texas Supreme Court Blocks Abbott-Paxton Bid to Expel Quorum-Busters

The Texas Supreme Court unanimously rejected Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s bid to expel Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a redistricting vote, saying the state constitution’s internal political remedies suffice and the judiciary should not interfere in legislative operations. The ruling preserves the Democrats’ seats for now, though the court left open the possibility of intervention in future quorum breaks if remedies like withholding pay prove inadequate. Democrats argued the move was a protest against a mid-decade redraw Republicans supported with Trump’s backing. After lawmakers returned, the maps were approved, and the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the 2026 maps will be used, rejecting challenges that they discriminated against minority voters.