Texas Democrats returned to Austin on Monday (August 18), ending a two-week standoff that had stalled the passage of a new congressional map proposed by Republicans. The return of the Democrats restored a quorum in the Texas House, allowing Republicans to move forward with their redistricting plan, which aims to add five new GOP seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The walkout by over 50 Democratic lawmakers was an attempt to block the map, which was pushed by President Donald Trump. The Democrats left Texas for Illinois and other locations, hoping to prevent the map’s passage. In response, Republican leaders issued civil arrest warrants and attempted to extradite the absent members. Despite the Democrats’ efforts, the map is expected to pass, though it will likely face legal challenges.
Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu described the walkout as a success, stating, “We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation.” Wu emphasized that the Democrats’ return would help build a legal case against the map, which they deem discriminatory.
In a related development, California lawmakers are working on a new congressional map that could add five Democratic seats, a move seen as a response to Texas’s redistricting efforts. This action reflects a broader national trend, with states like New York and Maryland also considering redistricting to counter Republican moves.
The Democrats’ return to Texas signals a shift to legal battles and continued advocacy against the proposed map.
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