The Texas House has moved to squeeze absent Democrats who broke quorum, cutting off their direct-deposit pay until they return to the Capitol in person. House administrators said members can only pick up paper checks on site, a change aimed squarely at those boycotting votes.
On top of that, House rules allow fines of $500 per day for members who skip proceedings without permission—penalties GOP leaders have signaled they’re ready to enforce as the standoff drags on.
Democrats walked out to block Republicans’ priority maps and bills, leaving the chamber short of the 100 members needed to conduct business and grinding the session to a halt.
Backers of the crackdown say lawmakers who fled should face consequences, while critics call it political retaliation. Either way, the longer the boycott lasts, the more pressure builds through missed pay and mounting fines.
