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Legislators

Pritzker Brushes Off FBI Deployment to Arrest Fleeing Texas Lawmakers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker dismissed suggestions Thursday that FBI agents could be deployed to arrest a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers who have fled to Illinois to delay voting on a mid-decade Republican redistricting plan. The drama began when dozens of Democratic members of the Texas House left the state while the Legislature was meeting in a special session called primarily to respond to floods that struck the central part of the state in July. The move was seen as an effort to prevent a congressional redistricting plan that would give Republicans an additional five seats in the U.S. House, potentially helping them maintain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pritzker stated that FBI agents could not arrest Texas Democrats in Illinois because there is no federal law that prohibits them from being in the state.
  • The Texas Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois to delay voting on a mid-decade Republican redistricting plan that would give Republicans an additional five seats in the U.S. House.
  • Illinois Gov. Pritzker welcomed the FBI coming to the state and suggested they visit the State Fair and see the beauty of Lake Michigan, but made it clear they would not be arresting any lawmakers.
  • The drama began when dozens of Democratic members of the Texas House left the state during a special session called to respond to floods that struck the central part of the state in July.
  • The new congressional map for Texas would be difficult to enact in time for the 2026 elections, and would also be hard for Democrats to gain any more advantage in Illinois since they already hold 14 of the state's 17 congressional districts.
  • Pritzker said it's never too late to consider drawing new maps for Illinois if Texas Republicans follow through with their plans.
  • Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to return to the Statehouse on October 14 for the start of their annual fall veto session.

Statistics:

  • 19 Texas House Democrats fled to Illinois to delay voting on a mid-decade Republican redistricting plan.
  • 219-212 is the current slim majority held by Republicans in the U.S. House.
  • 5 additional seats in the U.S. House that Republicans could gain with the new congressional map for Texas.
  • 14 of Illinois' 17 congressional districts are held by Democrats.
  • Over 100 people died in the floods that struck central Texas in July.

Sources:

  • New York Times
  • Capitol News Illinois

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