Texas Dems to flee state amid national redistricting battle
A map of Congressional Districts proposed plan is seen a Texas legislators' public hearing on redistricting in Austin on Aug. 1, 2025. | Eric Gay/AP
By Adam Wren
08/03/2025 03:57 PM EDT
Dozens of Texas Democrats plan to flee the state amid a special session Sunday afternoon, making a last-ditch effort to disrupt a mid-decade redistricting attempt forced by President Donald Trump, according to one person briefed on the matter.
It marks their second act of breaking quorum — when the state House will lack the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business — since 2021. And it comes as the party scrambles to counter the aggressive action in Texas, intended to keep Republicans in power in Congress next year by creating five GOP-friendly seats in the state.
Four years ago, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the arrest of fleeing lawmakers upon their return to their state.
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