In a bold move, Texas Democrats have departed the state to block a GOP redistricting effort they claim undermines democracy.
**Texas Democrats Stage Walkout to Halt GOP Redistricting Plan**
**Texas Democrats Stage Walkout to Halt GOP Redistricting Plan**
Democratic lawmakers exit Texas to prevent Republican-backed congressional map vote, claiming it's "rigged"
The article text:
Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have undertaken a dramatic exit, leaving the state to prevent a vote on a contentious congressional redistricting map that they argue is designed to bolster Republican power. This decision comes after Texas Republicans unveiled a plan that, if approved, could secure five additional Republican-leaning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The redistricting strategy is reportedly supported by former President Donald Trump.
The strategy hinges on the requirement that a two-thirds majority of the Texas legislature, which consists of 150 members, must be present for a vote to take place. To achieve this, 51 Democratic lawmakers have evacuated the state, primarily relocating to Illinois, thereby denying their Republican counterparts the necessary quorum to hold a vote. Their absence will continue for two weeks, coinciding with a special legislative session called by Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
This special session aims not only to approve the redistricting map but also to address disaster relief following the recent devastating floods in the state, as well as to propose legislation banning THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Each of the fledging lawmakers risks a daily fine of $500, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatening to pursue their arrest, suggesting that the state should leverage all available means to "hunt down" those who evade their responsibilities.
In a public statement, Gene Wu, a Democratic legislator from Houston and chair of the Democratic caucus, defended their departure, stating, "We're not walking out on our responsibilities; we're walking out on a rigged system that refuses to listen to the people we represent." This tactic isn't exclusive to Texas; Democrats across the nation have hinted at mirroring such actions, although their options may be constrained by the redistricting maps they've previously established in states like Illinois and New Mexico.
The existing political landscape in Texas reveals that Republicans hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats available. The proposed redistricting could potentially increase that to 30, particularly in areas where Trump previously won by substantial margins. Notable changes include a redistricting of the Rio Grande Valley and the combination of two districts in Austin, known to be dominated by Democrats. Additionally, adjustments would be made to four districts in the Houston area, impacting Democratic members including Congressman Al Green.
Republican state legislator Todd Hunter, who is spearheading the redistricting initiative, described it as "a good plan for Texas." This marks the third occasion in recent history that Texas Democrats have fled their responsibilities to disrupt a quorum. They previously traveled to Washington D.C. in 2021 in an unsuccessful bid to block recent electoral reforms, and further back in 2003, they left for Oklahoma to stall a Republican-initiated redistricting effort.
Typically, states embark on redistricting every decade in response to demographic shifts acknowledged by the U.S. Census. Nevertheless, the current push to redraw district lines midway through the decade is notably uncommon amidst the ongoing political battles.
Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have undertaken a dramatic exit, leaving the state to prevent a vote on a contentious congressional redistricting map that they argue is designed to bolster Republican power. This decision comes after Texas Republicans unveiled a plan that, if approved, could secure five additional Republican-leaning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The redistricting strategy is reportedly supported by former President Donald Trump.
The strategy hinges on the requirement that a two-thirds majority of the Texas legislature, which consists of 150 members, must be present for a vote to take place. To achieve this, 51 Democratic lawmakers have evacuated the state, primarily relocating to Illinois, thereby denying their Republican counterparts the necessary quorum to hold a vote. Their absence will continue for two weeks, coinciding with a special legislative session called by Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
This special session aims not only to approve the redistricting map but also to address disaster relief following the recent devastating floods in the state, as well as to propose legislation banning THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Each of the fledging lawmakers risks a daily fine of $500, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatening to pursue their arrest, suggesting that the state should leverage all available means to "hunt down" those who evade their responsibilities.
In a public statement, Gene Wu, a Democratic legislator from Houston and chair of the Democratic caucus, defended their departure, stating, "We're not walking out on our responsibilities; we're walking out on a rigged system that refuses to listen to the people we represent." This tactic isn't exclusive to Texas; Democrats across the nation have hinted at mirroring such actions, although their options may be constrained by the redistricting maps they've previously established in states like Illinois and New Mexico.
The existing political landscape in Texas reveals that Republicans hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats available. The proposed redistricting could potentially increase that to 30, particularly in areas where Trump previously won by substantial margins. Notable changes include a redistricting of the Rio Grande Valley and the combination of two districts in Austin, known to be dominated by Democrats. Additionally, adjustments would be made to four districts in the Houston area, impacting Democratic members including Congressman Al Green.
Republican state legislator Todd Hunter, who is spearheading the redistricting initiative, described it as "a good plan for Texas." This marks the third occasion in recent history that Texas Democrats have fled their responsibilities to disrupt a quorum. They previously traveled to Washington D.C. in 2021 in an unsuccessful bid to block recent electoral reforms, and further back in 2003, they left for Oklahoma to stall a Republican-initiated redistricting effort.
Typically, states embark on redistricting every decade in response to demographic shifts acknowledged by the U.S. Census. Nevertheless, the current push to redraw district lines midway through the decade is notably uncommon amidst the ongoing political battles.
