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Abbott Defends Redistricting, Says Absconding Lawmakers Are Holding Flood Relief Hostage
Summary
In an interview, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defended Republican-led redistricting as lawful and said Democrats who left the state to block a quorum are delaying flood-relief legislation and could face bribery charges; State Rep. Gene Wu called the map a 'racist gerrymandered map.'
Governor Greg Abbott on air said Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas to block a quorum have 'forfeited their seats in the state legislature' and are delaying aid to flood victims.
Abbott, appearing on the program, argued the departures were political and defended recent redistricting efforts. "Texans don't run from a fight," he said, and described critics who traveled to states such as New York and Illinois to protest as making an "outrageous" comparison. Abbott disputed an accusation that the map was drawn for racial reasons and said the plan will preserve the Barbara Jordan African American district and "will add 4 new Hispanic districts."
The interview included an audio clip of State Representative Gene Wu (D), who said: "The tool they're using is a racist gerrymandered map. A map that seeks to use racial lines to divide hardworking communities." The interviewer asked Abbott to respond to that charge and to explain why the redistricting effort was being pursued during the legislative session.
Abbott said timing reflected two developments: a recent court decision affecting Texas that he said means coalition districts are no longer required, and that drawing lines based on political makeup is legally permissible. He argued the new districts align with areas won by former President Donald Trump and that some voters currently lack the ability to vote for their preferred candidate because of existing district boundaries.
When pressed about a statement he sent to absconding lawmakers suggesting they may have committed felonies, Abbott said the relevant crime would be bribery if a lawmaker "took money to perform or to refuse to perform an act in the legislature." He said reports indicate some legislators "sought money and they offered money to skip the vote," and that whether charges apply would depend on the facts. He also told the interviewer that lawmakers could "cure" any potential quid pro quo by returning to make quorum at a 3:00 p.m. hearing.
The program closed saying the show would monitor whether lawmakers return for the afternoon hearing. No formal vote or court finding was announced during the interview.
