Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced new measures aimed at pressuring Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois to avoid a redistricting vote.
Key Facts:
- Texas Democrats left for Illinois to block a redistricting plan they say favors Republicans.
- Their departure broke quorum, halting state legislative business.
- Burrows will require absent members to pick up paychecks in person at the Capitol.
- 30% of each quorum-breaking member’s monthly operating budget will be frozen.
- Burrows is working with Texas AG Ken Paxton to make arrest warrants enforceable beyond Texas.
The Rest of The Story:
Dozens of Texas Democrats left the state, traveling to Illinois to avoid voting on a Republican-backed redistricting proposal. Their absence broke quorum, preventing the House from conducting official business.
Speaker Burrows, alongside Comptroller Kelly Hancock, announced that lawmakers who remain absent will no longer receive paychecks or per diem electronically. “Those checks must now be picked up in person on Capitol grounds, effective immediately,” Burrows said.
He also said 30% of these members’ monthly operating budgets will be reserved to “safeguard taxpayer dollars” and reduce unnecessary spending while they are not working. Burrows is coordinating with AG Ken Paxton to make the arrest warrants valid outside Texas and has contacted the Illinois House sergeant at arms to seek cooperation.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has welcomed the Democrats, saying no federal law prevents them from being in Illinois and that the FBI has only been authorized to locate them, not arrest them.
BREAKING: Dustin Burrows, Speaker of the Texas House, announces ADDITIONAL penalties for Dems who fled the state:
-Possible arrest
-No direct paycheck deposits
-Paychecks must now be picked up at the Capitol
-30% of the office budget is to be made unavailable
-Must appear in… pic.twitter.com/5TmTIEMXNi— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 8, 2025
Commentary:
Burrows’ decision to make paychecks available only in person is a reasonable step. Lawmakers are elected — and paid — to govern, not to hide in another state. If they refuse to show up for work, they should not enjoy the convenience of direct deposit.
Freezing 30% of their operating budgets is also a sensible move. Taxpayer dollars should not be funding full staff or operations for legislators who have abandoned their duties.
The walkout itself shows these members cannot be trusted to prioritize the responsibilities they were elected to fulfill. By requiring in-person collection for reimbursements and oversight on newsletter releases, Burrows is closing off avenues for further abuse of resources.
Democrats’ refusal to return, despite arrest warrants and growing public frustration, reinforces the perception that they are more interested in political theatrics than governance. Their time in Illinois may be politically symbolic, but it comes at a cost — both financial and in public trust.
Voters expect elected officials to debate and vote, even when the outcome is unfavorable. Walking off the job is an abdication of duty. When taxpayer money is involved, that choice becomes even more indefensible.
These tactics may generate attention in the short term, but they are eroding the credibility of those involved. Polling trends already show approval ratings slipping, and continued defiance will likely deepen that slide.
The Bottom Line:
Texas Democrats have chosen to block legislation by leaving the state, halting legislative work.
Burrows’ measures — withholding easy access to pay, freezing budgets, and pushing for cross-state warrant enforcement — put real pressure on them to return.
These steps send a clear message: taxpayer money should not fund absent lawmakers, and the business of governing cannot wait.
