Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is moving forward with a plan to remove quorum-breaking House Democrats from office, asserting that by leaving the state they have abandoned their positions, his office announced Tuesday. Paxton said he would begin asking Texas courts on Friday to remove the Democrats if they do not return to Austin.

Legal experts say it’s “inconsistent with the Texas Constitution” to argue a quorum break qualifies as abandoning an office.

Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows has given the absent lawmakers until Friday, Aug. 8, to return to Texas and appear before the House.