Judge Scott Larson ruled that the Texas speaker and attorney general had “failed to present a legal basis for the court” to take up the issue.

The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited schedule in a case filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton requesting the court remove 13 Texas House Democrats. from office “Aligned parties are encouraged to consolidate their briefing to the extent practicable.

"These cowards deliberately sabotaged the constitutional process and violated the oath they swore to uphold," Paxton said in a statement.