In a bold move to force absent lawmakers back to the Capitol, the Texas House just voted to revoke direct deposit access for the derelict Democrat members who fled the state. They will not receive their paychecks until they physically return to Texas grounds.
But that’s not all — each absent member is being charged $500 per day for every day they remain away. The fines are stacking up quickly, and frustration is boiling over in Austin.
This comes after weeks of political gridlock, with Democrats breaking quorum to block voting legislation. Texas leaders say enough is enough, and this latest measure is designed to hit where it hurts — their wallets.
The standoff has ignited fierce debate across the nation. Supporters say the lawmakers abandoned their duty and deserve the consequences. Critics claim the move is political retaliation.
One thing is certain: the longer they stay away, the bigger the bill they’ll face when they return.
In an unprecedented escalation of a political standoff, the Texas House has approved its most hard-hitting measure yet against Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block controversial voting legislation — cutting off their pay and hitting them with steep daily fines.
According to state officials, absent lawmakers will no longer receive their salaries via direct deposit. Instead, they must physically return to the state Capitol in Austin to collect their paychecks in person — meaning those who remain out of state will see their income effectively frozen.
But the punishment doesn’t stop there. Each missing member is also being fined $500 per day for every day they refuse to return, with the costs stacking up rapidly. For some lawmakers, that already means thousands of dollars in penalties — and growing.
The move comes after weeks of political gridlock, sparked when more than 50 Democratic representatives left Texas in a high-profile bid to deny the House the quorum needed to pass voting bills championed by Republicans. Supporters of the walkout say the legislation would restrict voting rights; GOP leaders counter that it is a necessary measure to secure elections.
By targeting lawmakers’ wallets, Texas House leaders are hoping to apply maximum pressure to force their return. “If you’re elected to serve, you show up to do your job,” one Republican lawmaker said. “If you don’t, you shouldn’t expect to get paid.”
The confrontation has sparked nationwide debate, with critics calling the move political retaliation, and supporters praising it as a justified consequence for abandoning legislative duties.
One thing is clear — the longer the Democrats stay away, the more it will cost them. And with neither side backing down, this could become one of the most expensive political standoffs in Texas history.