HOUSTON: Dozens of Democratic legislators who fled Texas to halt an aggressive redistricting drive ended their two-week standoff on Monday (Aug 18), clearing the way in which for a brand new electoral map pushed by President Donald Trump.
Because the Republican-led Texas Home reached a vital quorum to get again to enterprise and tackle proposed congressional maps, Democratic-ruled California confirmed it could punch again with electoral map adjustments of its personal.
With the Democrats’ return to Austin, the Texas Home started its strikes in direction of approving a map that carves out 5 new Republican-friendly US congressional seats forward of the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump on Monday posted the proposed map of Texas on his Reality Social platform, calling it “one of the vital widespread initiatives I’ve ever supported” and calling on Republicans to “Please cross this Map, ASAP.”
Greater than 50 Texas Democrats had stalled legislative enterprise with their walk-out, making nationwide headlines as they visited blue strongholds New York, Illinois and California and sought to attract consideration to the uncommon mid-decade redistricting push.
“When Republicans tried to silence minority voters by means of racist gerrymandering, Texas Home Democrats answered the decision,” the Texas Home Democratic Caucus stated in a press release on the legislators’ return.
“After rallying People to hitch this existential battle for democracy, we’re returning to Texas on our phrases – able to construct the authorized report wanted to defeat these unconstitutional maps in court docket. The combat continues.”
