'Frankly, I don't care': Texas Dem hits back at threats as he flees state
Rep. Gene Wu (D), chair of the Texas State House Democratic Caucus, joined CNN's John Berman from Chicago Monday where he fled to prevent a redistricting vote that could add as many as five Republican congressional seats to his state's political map.
Most of the defiant members have travelled to Democratic-led states, including New York and Massachusetts. The Hill reported that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) "is supporting their effort."
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) threatened to fire Democratic members if they don't return to the Texas House to reconvene by 3 p.m. Monday.
But Wu called Abbott's threats "all bluster, sound and fury, signifying nothing."
"Today is a great day to end the corruption of Greg Abbott. This has gone on far too long," Wu said. "The public has been enraged about this, how politicians continue to tell the public pretty words, but never actually do what they say they would do. This is Gov. Abbott being upset about that because he's been caught doing exactly that ... and frankly, Democrats say come and take it. Come and take it."
Berman asked about Texas law that could fine the lawmakers $500 for each day that they're absent.
"How will you pay that?" Berman asked.
"Frankly, I don't care and our members don't care, because what we're fighting for is not about us," Wu answered. "It's not about our pain and our suffering. We are elected officials. We have volunteered for this. We have committed to sacrificing our lives to protect the people of the state of Texas and that is exactly what we do. The $500 — whatever they're going to fine us — that is nothing compared to the pain that the American people have felt and the people of Texas have felt."
Berman also asked about the possibility of federal law enforcement getting involved.
"Yeah. look, we have spent hours, days, weeks going over this with ourselves, with our lawyers, everybody. We know that the governor has no power to reach into other states. And legally, by law, by federal law or state law, the president has no ability, no authority to legally come get us."