Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is asking the Justice Department (DOJ) to investigate groups —including former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D-Texas) Powered by People — that have allegedly helped fund Texas Democrats who fled the state to stall a GOP mid-decade redistricting plan.
“I write to encourage the Department of Justice to open an investigation into potential violations of federal law committed by the Political Action Committees and special interest groups providing funding and assistance to members of the Texas House of Representatives who absconded from the state and violated their duties to the citizens of Texas,” Cornyn wrote in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“I write today to encourage an investigation of the entities funding this charade. News reports make clear that PACs tied to Beto O’Rourke and megadonors such as George Soros are supporting the legislators, along with other campaign entities,” he continued. “These outside groups appear to be acting in violation of federal public corruption and election laws.”
More than 50 Texas state legislators left the Lone Star State earlier this month to break quorum, depriving the state House of the numbers it needs to move forward with a redistricting plan backed by President Trump. The proposal, which passed through the state Senate on Tuesday, would net Republicans five additional House seats and has triggered redistricting talks in other states on both sides of the aisle ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Cornyn in his letter called out O’Rourke, alleging that his political group funded “luxurious private jets” for the quorum-breaking lawmakers, along with food, lodging and logistical support from other groups.
The latest move from the senator follows his recent call for the FBI to help track down quorum-breakers, comes as he seeks to fend off a conservative primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in next year’s election.
Recent polling has shown Cornyn trailing Paxton, in some cases by double digits, though his team is projecting optimism it will be able to fend off the challenge.
Paxton has also swung at O’Rourke and his group, which he’s claimed engaged in unlawful fundraising activity to help the Democratic state lawmakers. He was granted a temporary restraining order last week and is now seeking O’Rourke’s arrest as he alleges the order was violated.
Meanwhile, Texas Democrats are trying to wait out the ongoing 30-day special session as their absence puts a pause on advancing the new Congressional map, but Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has said he planned to call another immediately afterward.
The venture comes with hefty expenses. In addition to the costs of living away from their homes in Texas, the participating Democrats each face $500-per-day fines, along with the threat of arrest and removal from their seats.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has pledged to redraw the Golden State’s congressional maps in a move that could counter Texas’s gains with five additional Democratic House seats, depending on whether Republicans move forward with redistricting.
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