On August 5, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court of Texas, asking it to expel State Representative Gene Wu. Abbott’s petition is based on Wu’s participation in the quorum break to protect voting rights – a legislative option that is recognized by the Texas Constitution and has been exercised by state lawmakers at various times over the course of more than 150 years.

Representative Wu is a sitting legislator in Texas, having been elected by a majority of voters in his district. His removal would be unconstitutional and could set a dangerous precedent that is antithetical to our democracy.

A few days after Abbott filed his petition, a coalition of organizations that represent Texans and are committed to voting interests in the state united to file a “friend of the court” brief with the Texas Supreme Court to argue that this attempt by Governor Abbott should be denied. 

The organizations, represented by Democracy Forward, include the League of Women Voters of Texas, Asian Texans for Justice, OCA-Greater Houston, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Texas NAACP State Conference, and Unidos US, explain that Governor Abbott’s request to remove a duly elected member of the Texas House of Representatives based on the member’s participation in the quorum break is not only unprecedented Texas history, but also unconstitutional.