‘Special session after special session': Abbott says he'll continue until redrawn maps are passed
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP
By Nicole Markus
08/08/2025 09:37 AM EDT
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday he will continue to call special sessions of his state Legislature until a new congressional map is passed, telling Democrats who broke quorum they would need to stay away for years to prevent its approval.
'But I'll tell you this also, Democrats act like they're not going to come back as long as this is an issue,' Abbott said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday. 'That means they're not going to come back until like 2027 or 2028, because I'm going to call special session after special session after special session with the same agenda items on there.'
Texas is one of the states locked in an escalating redistricting battle after President Donald Trump urged Republican leaders to redraw congressional maps, with the end goal creating additional GOP-friendly districts that could help the party maintain its House majority in Washington. Democratic states like California have vowed to retaliate.
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