A showdown is unfolding in Texas as Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to take away Democrats who have fled the state in protest of Republican-led effort to create a brand new congressional map.
Abbott stated Texas Home Democrats have till 3 p.m. native time on Monday to return to the statehouse for the particular session or danger dropping their jobs. Texas Legal professional Normal Ken Paxton prompt Democrats who left needs to be arrested and forcibly introduced again.
The response from the Texas Home Democratic Caucus to Abbott’s risk was, “Come and take it.”
Democratic members who left the state are slated to carry varied occasions all through the day Monday in Democrat-led states.
The proposed congressional map, backed by President Donald Trump, may create as much as 5 new Republican seats and assist Republicans hold management of the Home within the 2026 midterm elections. Consideration of the invoice had been set for Monday, however can not proceed if Democrats deny a quorum.
The State Capitol is seen on July 21, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Pictures
Democrats maintain occasions in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois
The primary information convention with Texas Democrats on Monday was with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in Albany. Hochul’s message for Texas Home Democrats was, “You might be on the appropriate facet of historical past. And you are not alone.”
“As I stated, historical past will choose us and the way we reply to this second. However right here in New York, we is not going to stand on the sidelines with the timid souls on the sidelines who do not care and won’t make investments their coronary heart and soul into this battle. This can be a struggle,” Hochul continued. “We’re at struggle and that is why the gloves are off. And I say, carry it on.”
Texas Home Democrats who’ve gone to Massachusetts for the Nationwide Convention of State Legislators summit might be joined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for a press convention in Boston on Monday at 1 p.m. ET. Then, Texas Home Democrats who’ve gathered in Illinois will maintain a press convention with Democratic members of Congress in Chicago.
Pritzker on Sunday accused Trump of “rigging” the brand new Texas maps out of desperation and fear that as a result of his insurance policies, he was at risk of dropping Home Republican majorities in Washington. The Illinois governor additionally warned the newly-proposed maps set a harmful precedent throughout the nation.
“This isn’t simply rigging the system in Texas,” Pritzker stated. “It is about rigging the system in opposition to the rights of all Individuals for years to come back.”
Abbott, Paxton threaten motion in opposition to Democrats
Abbott, in his warning to Texas Home Democrats, stated leaving the state in protest amounted to “abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state workplace.”
The governor stated in the event that they did not return by 3 p.m. native time on Monday, he would invoke Texas Legal professional Normal Opinion No. KP-0382 to take away the lacking Democrats from membership within the Texas Home. He additional went on to say the lawmakers who left “might also have dedicated felonies” by fundraising with a purpose to pay the $500 wonderful they danger accruing every day they’re absent.
“Our fellow Texans are being let down and never getting the flood aid they want, as a result of these Democrats have absconded from the duty, and I consider they’ve forfeited their seats within the state legislature as a result of they are not doing the job they have been elected to do,” Abbott stated throughout an interview with Fox Information on Monday.
Paxton, in a social media put up, wrote that “Democrats within the Texas Home who attempt to run away like cowards needs to be discovered, arrested, and introduced again to the Capitol instantly. We must always use each software at our disposal to search out those that assume they’re above the legislation.”
What’s at stake
The brand new congressional map was proposed by Texas Republicans following a push by Trump for maps extra favorable to Republicans to assist the celebration hold the bulk within the Home in 2026. Presently, Home Republicans are working with a slim majority.
Trump has stated he desires Republicans to choose up 5 new seats in Texas and others across the nation. Democrats have slammed the transfer and stated it dangers hurting minority voters.
Requested by Fox Information why he’s pushing for brand new districts, Abbott stated it’s partly to dismantle “coalition districts” (the place racial minority teams collectively make up a lot of the inhabitants) and to redraw districts based mostly on political concerns.
“Gerrymandering might be carried out or drawing traces might be carried out on the premise of political make-up, as in Republican versus Democrat, and there is nothing unlawful about that,” Abbot stated. “After which whenever you have a look at the result of the latest presidential election, all these districts which might be being added are districts that have been gained by Trump.”
Because the redistricting battle heats up, a Home Republican will introduce laws to ban mid-decade redrawing of congressional maps nationwide.
California GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley will formally introduce the invoice on Tuesday which can “nullify new maps adopted by states earlier than the 2030 census, together with any which might be adopted this yr.” The invoice’s future stays unsure, nonetheless, because it’s unlikely to be backed by Home Republican management.
ABC Information’ Lauren Peller contributed to this report.
