UPDATE: The Texas House of Representatives is set to reconvene at 1 p.m. CT today, but uncertainty looms as several Democratic lawmakers have fled the state to protest a controversial Republican redistricting plan. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate and bring back the absent Democrats, stating that this directive will remain until they are “accounted for and brought back” to Austin.
In a dramatic turn of events, many Texas Democrats left the state on Sunday to oppose a Republican-led effort, which is backed by former President Donald Trump, aimed at redrawing congressional maps that could add up to five new Republican seats. This move is seen as crucial for the GOP to maintain control of the U.S. House in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
The Democratic exodus has garnered support from governors of blue states, including Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California, who announced plans to counteract partisan redistricting efforts in their own states as a response.
This morning, Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will join Texas House Democrats alongside Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for a press conference to address the ongoing situation and rally support against the Republican strategy.
Amid escalating tensions, Trump spoke out in a live interview on CNBC, asserting that Republicans are “entitled” to more congressional seats. He stated, “We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.”
Trump also criticized Democratic governors for their own redistricting efforts, claiming, “That’s all gerrymandered. California is gerrymandered. We should have many more seats in Congress.”
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the Texas House can proceed with its session amidst the absence of key Democratic members. The implications of today’s events could reverberate through the political landscape, impacting not only Texas but the broader national context as both parties maneuver for advantage ahead of the midterm elections.
What’s next? Watch for updates on the Texas House session and further reactions from Democratic leaders as they seek to regroup and respond to the ongoing crisis.
