Around 30 Democratic lawmakers in Texas have left the state in a bid to block a vote on a Republican-backed plan to redraw the state's congressional map, which could create five new Republican-leaning seats in the House of Representatives.
The group said it planned to stay in Illinois for a week, denying Republicans the quorum needed to validate proceedings. They accused Texas Republicans of a “cowardly” surrender to Donald Trump's call for redistricting, saying they were halting Trump's plan by denying his “bootlickers” a quorum.
The scheme is reported to have been coordinated with Illinois governor JB Pritzker, who met the Texas Democratic caucus last month and offered logistical support. The Texas Democrats also accused Governor Greg Abbott of withholding flood relief to force the vote through.
Last week, Texas Republicans released a proposed map that would target Democratic members around Austin, Dallas and Houston, as well as two south Texas districts. The Democrats' walkout carries potential penalties, including a $500-a-day fine and possible arrest, introduced in 2023 after a previous three-week walkout.
Republican state representative Cody Vasut defended the map as politically based and “totally legal”, pointing to disparities in other states. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton called for the absent Democrats to be found and arrested, while House speaker Dustin Burrows said all options would be on the table if a quorum was not present.
The absence threatens to derail other issues proposed by Abbott, including disaster relief for recent floods. Pritzker, a billionaire and potential 2028 presidential contender, has emerged as a key figure in the national fight over redistricting.
