Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested that those who have fled the state to stall Republicans' agenda could potentially face felony charges. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
"In addition to abandoning their offices, these legislators may also have committed felonies," Abbott added in his letter. "Many absentee Democrats are soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules."
Earlier Monday, Abbott said it would be considered bribery "if any lawmaker took money to perform or to refuse to perform an act in the legislature."
In response to Abbott's threats, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., described the governor's actions as "all hat, no cattle," noting that there was "no basis to charge" the lawmakers.
"Gov. Abbott is making idle threats," Jeffries insisted during an interview Monday with CNN.
TEXAS MAP FIGHT ESCALATES AS JEFFRIES VOWS ‘ALL OPTIONS’ TO STOP GOP PLAN
Democratic Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California vow to fight back against GOP redistricting efforts. (Getty Images)
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Congressional maps are typically redrawn once every 10 years, following the completion of the U.S. Census, but currently Texas is trying to re-draw their maps mid-decade without any new census data, or even a court order. Still, Abbott has insisted that "there's nothing illegal" about what Republicans are trying to do in Texas.
The new maps in Texas, which President Donald Trump supports, could potentially help Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives pick up five seats, the president said last month. Trump's Department of Justice previously sent Aboott a letter in early July, alleging that some congressional districts in Texas could be considered racially gerrymandered and in violation of the Constitution's 14th Amendment.
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/awol-texas-dems-threatened-expulsion-felony-charges-absence-amid-redistricting-battle