In a dramatic move, Texas Democrats have left the state to prevent the House of Representatives from holding a vote on new congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump. The proposed map aims to create five new Republican-leaning seats, potentially shifting the balance of power in the US House of Representatives in favor of the Republicans.
Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, emphasized the gravity of the decision, stating, “This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity.” The Democrats’ departure from the state is a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans from pushing through the rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map, which they claim is designed to cement Republican influence and advance Trump’s policies.
Josh Rush Nisenson, spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus, highlighted the importance of this action, saying, “Apathy is complicity, and we will not be complicit in the silencing of hard-working communities who have spent decades fighting for the power that Trump wants to steal.” At least 51 Democratic members are leaving the state, with many reportedly heading to Illinois, where they will remain for a week.
The absence of these lawmakers will likely deny the Republican-controlled House the quorum needed to proceed with the vote on redrawing the congressional map. This move marks the second time in four years that Texas Democrats have fled the state to block a vote, following a 38-day standoff in 2021 over new voting restrictions.
The proposed map has drawn fierce criticism, with Democrats accusing Texas Governor Greg Abbott of using disaster relief as leverage to pressure lawmakers into backing the redrawn map. Wu stated, “We’re leaving Texas to stand up for Texans. We won’t allow disaster relief to be held hostage for the sake of Trump’s gerrymandering plan.” The newly proposed map aims to strengthen the GOP’s grip in next year’s midterm elections, targeting Democratic strongholds in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, as well as two closely contested districts in South Texas.
Republicans currently hold 25 of the state’s 38 seats, and the new map would create five additional Republican-leaning districts. The special session of the legislature, called by Governor Abbott, also aims to respond to flooding in Texas Hill Country, which killed at least 135 people in July.