Texas Democrats have fled the state to block the Republicans in the legislature from holding a special session to block a redistricting vote on Sunday.
The Texas Democrats reportedly fled to Illinois to break quorum to block the Texas House from holding a vote in a special session.
The new congressional map will add five GOP House seats.
Politico reported:
Dozens of Texas Democrats plan to flee the state amid a special session Sunday afternoon, making a last-ditch effort to disrupt a mid-decade redistricting attempt forced by President Donald Trump, according to two people briefed on the matter.
It marks their second act of breaking quorum — when the state House will lack the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business — since 2021. And it comes as the party scrambles to counter the aggressive action in Texas, intended to keep Republicans in power in Congress next year by creating five GOP-friendly seats in the state.
Four years ago, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the arrest of fleeing lawmakers upon their return to their state.
Sunday’s move will almost certainly set off a nationwide redistricting arms race that threatens to upend the 2026 midterm election map.
Texas Democrat state representative James Talarico boasted about fleeing the state to block the GOP from
“My Democratic colleagues and I just left the state of Texas to break quorum and stop Trump’s redistricting power grab,” Democrat James Talarico said in a video posted to X.
“Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections right before our eyes. But first he’ll have to come through us,” he said.
WATCH:
My Democratic colleagues and I just left the state of Texas to break quorum and stop Trump’s redistricting power grab.
Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections right before our eyes. But first he’ll have to come through us.
It’s time to fight back. pic.twitter.com/xOshwmy2eA
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) August 3, 2025
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called for their arrest.
“Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately,” Ken Paxton said.
“We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law,” he said.
Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately.
We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 3, 2025
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