Middleton files legislation against fleeing Texas Democrats: 'Legislators who repeatedly refuse to show up for work should lose their jobs'

State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) filed legislation that would prevent lawmakers from abandoning their duties and responsibilities following efforts from Texas Democrats to block voting restrictions. 

House Bill 309 pertains to "a vacancy in the office of senator or representative due to excessive absence," according to the bill itself, and would hold legislators accountable in upholding their oaths to "faithfully execute the duties of the office" that were deign upon election. 

"Legislators who repeatedly refuse to show up for work should lose their jobs. Today I filed HB 309 which would vacate the seat of a House or Senate member that is absent and unexcused for more than 14 days," Middleton said in a Facebook post. 

The legislation comes in the wake of a walk-out in which over 50 Texas Democrats fled the state for Washington, D.C. to protest House Bill 3, a Republican-backed bill that would increase voting restriction in the state. Their goal is to stay in Washington for three weeks, in order to expire the GOP quorum, as the Legislature requires a quorum of two-thirds of lawmakers to be present to conduct state business, according to NBC News. 

"I'm convening a second special session on 8/7. The #txlege must finish the work that was started. I'll call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity and pass other items Texans demand and deserve," said Gov. Greg Abbott in a tweet calling for Democrats to return and be held accountable.

In addition to the bill, Democratic lawmakers may also be compelled to return to the state for legal reasons, as Republicans can ask the Department of Public Safety to track them down or face arrest. 

House Bill 3 follows many other states in an effort to create further voting restrictions following the 2020 election.