Senator John Cornyn Calls for FBI Investigation into Potential Criminal Acts by Texas Legislators

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel urging federal cooperation with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and state law enforcement to investigate potential criminal acts committed by some Texas House of Representatives members. In a shameful attempt to stall the legislative process, many members absconded from the state on August 3, 2025, and are now being protected by out-of-state actors who are accused of bribery and public corruption. Senator Cornyn is requesting the FBI's assistance to locate and hold accountable the out-of-state legislators who may be acting in violation of the law.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator John Cornyn has requested the FBI's assistance to investigate potential bribery and public corruption offenses committed by some Texas House of Representatives members.
  • The legislators in question absconded from the state on August 3, 2025, in a shameful attempt to stall the legislative process.
  • Out-of-state actors are accused of protecting the Texas legislators and may be involved in soliciting or accepting funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties.
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott and state law enforcement are working within the confines of the law, but federal help is needed to fully investigate and hold the legislators accountable.
  • Senator Cornyn has expressed concern that legislators who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses.
  • The FBI has tools to aid state law enforcement when parties cross state lines, including to avoid testifying or fleeing a scene of a crime.

Statistics:

  • August 3, 2025: The date on which many members in the Texas House of Representatives absconded from the state.
  • 2025: The year in which the Texas legislative process was stalled by the legislators who absconded.
  • Boulder, CO: One of the locations where some Texas legislators were reportedly living and hiding from accountability.

Sources:

  • Office of the Senator John Cornyn:

+ News Release: Senator Cornyn Asks FBI to Help Investigate Out-of-State Texas Legislators Who Are Breaking the Law (August 3, 2025)