The Texas-based office of Government Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of lawmakers who have fled the state House chamber.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan signed arrest warrants on August 10 for 52 Democratic state representatives who have failed to appear in the House chamber for a special session called by Governor Greg Abbott. The 30-day session was convened to consider election integrity legislation and other bills.
A quorum of at least 100 members must be present for the House to proceed. Several members traveled to Washington, DC in May to avoid arrest in a previous session, though enough are believed to remain in Texas to provide the quorum needed to proceed.
According to Crime Stoppers, lawmakers who are arrested can only be brought to the House chamber and will not face criminal charges or fines. The website states that tips submitted through the site “that lead directly to the arrest of missing lawmakers” will be eligible for a $2,500 reward.
Just prior to the issue of arrest warrants, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Democrat lawmakers who are absent from the House chamber could be arrested and detained.
The Democrat walkout began in late May to prevent passage of Senate Bill 7, which they claimed would result in voter suppression. Republican leaders claim SB 7 reforms the state’s voting processes, including provisions to limit early voting hours and require identification for voting-by-mail.
Government Crime Stoppers is a member of Crime Stoppers USA, which encourages citizens to assist law enforcement agencies to prevent crime within government. The organization provides cash rewards of up to $10,000 for tips that contribute to the prosecution of government-related offenses. Citizens can submit tips through a button on the organization’s website.