Dan Snell - Texas Lawmakers

FBI TO HELP LOCATE AWOL TEXAS LAWMAKERS
The FBI will now be involved in the efforts to track down and return more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who left the state earlier this month in a legislative coup. Texas Democrats left their state amid a special session of the state legislature, attempting block a Republican backed a vote to approve their new Congressional map... The move by Democratic state lawmakers prevented a quorum  and blocking the vote from proceeding.  The re-districting within the Texas would give the G-O-P a five-seat advantage in Congress, something President Trump wants to see before the 20-26 midterm elections. Many lawmakers who have fled the state went to liberal leaning states like New York, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois - where Democratic governors have offered refuge and support for what they feel is an effort to prevent democracy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has authorized the arrest of any legislatures who have fled and pointed to the State constitution which could allow for their removal from office. The governor remains critical of the lawmakers who fled, claiming their absence is impeding aid for those affected by recent flooding events. The FBI involvement comes as Sen. John Cornyn of Texas announced last Thursday that the FBI granted his request for assistance to find those who left to stall the vote, calling it a “ shameful attempt to thwart the legislative process." Democrats have pushed back against the claims that the FBI is now involved calling for the agency to stepdown – with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries taking to social media, accusing the Trump Administration of targeting democrats and weaponizing law enforcement.
How has the FBI assisted so far? Do they have jurisdiction to bring Democratic lawmakers back to the State Capitol to move a vote forward? How are blue states responding, and will this trigger a larger push for redistricting across the country?
Politics & Leadership Expert, DAN SNELL