Texas Republicans Continue Redistricting as Democrats Leave State

• Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows signed civil arrest warrants for Democrats who did not attend a special session to block a redrawing of the state’s congressional map. The warrants may not be enforceable outside Texas.

• The Texas House plans to reconvene after failing to reach quorum. The special session can last for 30 days, ending on August 19.

• Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to replace absent lawmakers, considering it an abandonment of their office.

• Texas Republicans proposed a redistricting plan that could eliminate five Democratic US House seats, affecting the 2026 midterms.

• Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin vowed to fight against the redistricting effort, calling it unconstitutional.

• Democratic governors in blue states are considering redistricting efforts in response to Texas GOP's actions.

• The Texas Democrats who left the state to block the redistricting plan may face legal consequences, including potential bribery charges.

• Gov. Abbott ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate the Democrats who fled the state for possible legal violations.

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened to counter Texas' redistricting plan by proposing a new congressional map for California.

• Other states are considering similar redistricting efforts, influenced by the Texas situation.

• Texas State Rep. Linda Garcia, one of the absent Democrats, expressed readiness to fight against the redistricting plan.

• Texas House Speaker Burrows urged absent Democrats to return, mentioning the issuance of civil arrest warrants.

• Gov. Abbott ordered the arrest of House Democrats who did not attend the session, aiming to ensure compliance with the civil arrest warrants.

• Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to hold the absent lawmakers accountable for their actions.

• The Texas House convened without a quorum due to the absence of many Democrats, who left the state to block the redistricting plan.

• Gov. Abbott's threat to replace absent lawmakers would require legal and political support.

• Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison criticized the Republican leadership for failing to prevent the quorum break.

• Democratic State Rep. John Bucy defended the Democrats' actions as a stand for democracy and against the GOP-led redistricting plan.