Senate committee would subpoena senior DOJ official over redistricting

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As senators prepared to hear more testimony on proposed congressional redistricting, they discussed a letter sent by the Department of Justice to Texas accusing it of having racially discriminatory district lines.

Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, and the chair of the Senate’s redistricting committee, said he sent a formal invitation to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the author of the DOJ letter, asking her to testify before the Senate committee.

The committee has not received a response, and King said Monday that he would entertain holding a vote to issue a subpoena to Dhillon if a response is not received by Wednesday. Issuing a subpoena would require a two-thirds majority of the nine-member committee to vote in favor.

A subpoena is a formal, legally binding request for testimony that can come with civil or criminal penalties if the individual fails to appear.

The move comes after Sens. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, Juan “Chuy” Hinjosa, D-McAllen, and Borris Miles, D-Houston, sent King a letter requesting a subpoena, explaining why they believe the committee has the authority to do so. King said he is unsure if the committee does indeed have the authority, since Dhillon is a federal official and is out of state.

The House redistricting committee will also hear testimony Monday, in person at 5 p.m. in Arlington.