The Texas House of Representatives recently approved a motion to support giving Attorney General Ken Paxton back-pay for his impeachment trial. The motion was approved by a vote of 88-57, with most Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.
Paxton was indicted in 2015 on felony charges related to securities fraud, but has yet to go to trial. In 2020, a Texas House committee began investigating whether he abused his office to benefit a political donor. The committee ultimately recommended his impeachment, but the full House has not taken action on the matter.
The motion to support giving Paxton back-pay stems from the idea that he is entitled to compensation for the time and resources spent on defending himself against impeachment. Supporters argue that he should not be financially penalized for a process that has not resulted in any formal action being taken against him.
However, critics of the motion argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and could incentivize other politicians to engage in unethical behavior without consequences. They believe that Paxton should not be rewarded for potential wrongdoing and that any decision on back-pay should wait until after the impeachment process is resolved.
The issue has become a contentious one in Texas politics, with some viewing it as a partisan issue and others as a matter of principle. The motion will now move to the Texas Senate for consideration, where its fate remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome, the debate over whether Ken Paxton should receive back-pay from his impeachment trial is likely to continue for some time.
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