Texas Senator Cornyn says FBI to help track Democrats who fled state, illegal under the state’s constitution

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, has confirmed that he requested and received approval from FBI Director Kash Patel for federal assistance in tracking down Democratic state legislators who left Texas to prevent a quorum on a redistricting bill vote.

Cornyn characterizes the Democrats' departure as an evasion of their constitutional responsibilities under Texas law, implying that their actions are illegal or at least subject to legal consequences.

The FBI's involvement is framed as support to state and local law enforcement in locating these lawmakers, some of whom have reportedly fled to other states such as Illinois and New York.

While Cornyn asserts the illegality of the Democrats' actions under the Texas constitution, this claim is politically charged and subject to legal debate; historically, such walkouts have been used as political tactics, and whether they constitute criminal acts depends on interpretation and court rulings.

Multiple reputable news sources confirm Cornyn's statements and the FBI's role as described, but there is no public indication that arrests have been made or that the FBI is conducting enforcement beyond locating individuals.

The claim that it is "illegal under the state’s constitution" is a strong legal assertion; while Texas law does require attendance for quorum, enforcement mechanisms and interpretations vary, making this part of the claim somewhat contentious.