Texas AG Ken Paxton Probes Beto-Linked Group for Funding Democrat Quorum Break

August 7, 2025 - Austin, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a formal investigation into Powered by People, the political organization led by Beto O’Rourke, for allegedly financing Texas House Democrats' flight from the state to break quorum and obstruct Republican-led redistricting efforts. This probe targets potential violations of bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office laws, ensuring accountability for actions that undermine legislative duties and electoral integrity.

The Democrats fled to Illinois on Sunday, denying the House a quorum needed to advance a special session on congressional maps that could secure up to five additional GOP seats in the 2026 midterms. Public reports indicate Powered by People, founded by O’Rourke in 2019, bankrolled their out-of-state travel, prompting Paxton's action.

“Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,” Paxton declared, emphasizing that Texans deserve transparency if illegal incentives fueled the abandonment of state responsibilities. He issued a "Request to Examine" demanding records and communications from the group.

O’Rourke dismissed the probe, stating, “The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats. Let’s stop these thugs before they steal our country.”

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered arrests and sought expulsion of the absent lawmakers, filing an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court against Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu for violating their oaths. A bomb threat at the Illinois hotel housing the Democrats led to a temporary evacuation, but no device was found, and authorities cleared the area.

This investigation underscores the commitment to upholding law and order, preventing external influences from derailing efforts to strengthen fair representation in Congress.