Texas Democrats Walk Out in Protest of Redistricting Effort

Strategic Insights -

A group of Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to stop Republicans from adopting an aggressively redrawn congressional map. The walkout was a sharp escalation in the bitter partisan clash over a mid-decade redistricting in Texas that was requested by President Trump. The Democrats' absence is expected to prevent the House from reaching the quorum needed to hold a vote this week, potentially delaying action in the Legislature for several weeks or more.

Key Takeaways:

  • 62 Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state on Sunday to prevent the House from reaching the quorum needed to hold a vote on the redistricting map.
  • The redistricting effort was requested by President Trump and aims to flip five Democratic congressional districts to favor Republicans.
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to remove the lawmakers who left their posts if they do not return by Monday, citing a legal opinion by the Texas attorney general.
  • The Democrats' action had the support of national Democratic groups and required coordination among nearly all of the Democrats in the Texas House.
  • If the lawmakers do not show up for a scheduled floor debate on the maps on Monday, Mr. Abbott will take steps to "remove the missing Democrats from membership in the Texas House."
  • The fines imposed by the Republican majority in the House for absences without permission could potentially be challenged in court, with Democrats and the Democratic National Committee urging them to challenge the fines.
  • Discussions about Texas Democrats traveling to Illinois have been ongoing since at least late June, with party officials in Texas speaking with Gov. JB Pritzker's staff about potential support.
  • The Texas lawmakers decided not to go to Washington due to federal jurisdiction in the capital, instead opting for Chicago, where they stood with Gov. JB Pritzker during a news conference.

Statistics:

  • 62: The number of Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives who left the state on Sunday.
  • 5: The number of Democratic congressional districts that the redistricting effort aims to flip to favor Republicans.
  • 30: The number of days the special session is scheduled to last, which could potentially lead to a prolonged absence by the Democrats.
  • $500: The fine imposed by the House for each day a member is absent without permission.
  • 2021: The year in which Texas Democrats previously walked out in protest of voting legislation.
  • 2003: The year of the first major showdown in Texas over redistricting, when Republicans in Washington, led by Representative Tom DeLay, pushed for a mid-decade redistricting.

Sources:

  • [The New York Times, "Texas Democrats Leave State to Block Redistricting Plan", July 25, 2022]
  • [The New York Times, "Texas Democrats Walk Out in Protest of Redistricting Effort", July 25, 2022]
  • [Democratic National Committee, "Statement on Texas Democrats' Walkout", July 25, 2022]