Illinois Governor Vows to Protect Texas Democrats

The Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to prevent a vote from taking place now face two potential unwanted scenarios: arrest and extradition back to their home state, and possible expulsion from the Texas House. Details:

• The walkout: More than 50 Democrats left the state to prevent the GOP from being able to vote on the redrawing of congressional maps in a special legislative session. Democrats say it's a brazen Republican move, done at the request of President Trump, to help the GOP pick up five seats in the US Congress, reports NBC News.
• Threat: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said if the lawmakers don't return by Monday afternoon, he will move to have them expelled from state government, reports Axios. "This truancy ends now," he said in a statement, in which he lays out his legal rationale. Any such move would likely be challenged in court.

• Threat, II: State Attorney General Ken Paxton said the state will "hunt down" the lawmakers, adding they should be "found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately." However, that could be tricky because it's a state issue, not a federal one.
• Three blue states: Many of the lawmakers ended up in Illinois, where Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker vowed to protect them, reports the Hill. "It's Ken Paxton who doesn't follow the law," he said, characterizing the mid-decade redrawing of the maps as illegal. "It's the leaders of Texas who are attempting not to follow the law." Other lawmakers went to two other blue states, New York and Massachusetts.
• Long game: The Democrats' move will likely prevent the GOP from redrawing the maps this week. But based on previous Democratic walkouts in Texas in past years, the tactic is likely to only delay the redrawing of the maps, not prevent it, notes the New York Times.