2:36U.S. Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Texas, examines a map during the Texas state House redistricting committee meeting on August 01, 2025, in Austin. The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting conducted its initial hearing following the Texas Republicans’ revision of their congressional map. The newly drawn congressional maps were prompted by a call to action from President Donald Trump in advance of the upcoming midterm elections. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Democratic state legislators are gearing up to depart Texas on Sunday to disrupt the quorum of a special legislative session in which Republican lawmakers are seeking to approve a new congressional map that could potentially generate up to five additional GOP seats.
This action follows an extensive public hearing regarding the proposal in the state Capitol on Friday, and just days after state Republicans unveiled the new maps. With a majority in the Texas state legislature, Republicans have the upper hand; Democrats have expressed their willingness to explore all avenues to prevent the maps’ approval, despite having limited options for resistance.
"We are not abandoning our duties; we are walking away from a corrupt system that ignores the voices of those we represent. As of today, this tainted special session is concluded," stated state Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Upon learning of the Democratic legislators breaking quorum, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton remarked in a post on X that those who left should be apprehended and returned to the state capitol.
U.S. Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Texas, examines a map during the Texas state House redistricting committee meeting on August 01, 2025, in Austin. The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting conducted its initial hearing following the Texas Republicans’ revision of their congressional map. The newly drawn congressional maps were prompted by a call to action from President Donald Trump in advance of the upcoming midterm elections. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
"Democrats in the Texas House who attempt to flee like cowards should be located, arrested, and returned to the Capitol immediately," he stated. "We must utilize every resource available to track down those who believe they are above the law."
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott released a harsh statement Sunday evening, accusing the House Democrats who left the state and obstructed quorum of doing so for illegitimate purposes. He asserted that their premeditated choice could lead to the forfeiture of their elected positions and insisted they must return when the statehouse reconvenes for the special session at 3:00 p.m. CT on Monday or risk losing their positions.
"This absenteeism ends now. The irresponsible Democrat House members must return to Texas and be present when the House reconvenes at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, 2025. For any member who fails to comply, I will invoke Texas Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0382 to remove the absent Democrats from the Texas House," part of Abbott’s statement declared.
The Texas House Democratic Caucus responded to Abbott’s letter with a succinct four-word statement: "Come and take it."
While the walkout itself cannot prevent the bill’s passage, Democrats aim to run out the clock on the 30-day special legislative session, which would necessitate Abbott to call another session. Texas House Democrats previously broke quorum in 2021 to oppose an elections bill and in 2003 to try to thwart a similar redistricting initiative by Republicans. Ultimately, Republicans succeeded in passing the legislation both times.
President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for Texas lawmakers to establish five new Republican districts.
Over 51 legislators are departing the state, depriving the state House of the two-thirds majority out of 150 legislators necessary for a quorum. The precise number of the 62 Democratic legislators from the state House who were leaving was not immediately confirmed.
Democrats who break quorum face the possibility of accruing a $500-a-day fine, as per state House rules, along with potential legal repercussions.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a conversation with "War Room" host and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, stated on Thursday, "The House rules and the Senate rules both permit these individuals to be arrested if they leave … The challenge lies in the fact that if they exit the state, we lose jurisdiction, which has posed a challenge in the past; however, as long as the governor is willing
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
