Posted on 08/03/2025 2:05:13 PM PDT by DFG
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 two people 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.
Sunday’s move will almost certainly set off a nationwide redistricting arms race that threatens to upend the 2026 midterm election map.
For weeks Texas state lawmakers have been debating their strategy for responding to the GOP: Some members fully support a walkout; others are reluctant to take such a risk that could put them in legal and political jeopardy.
“Breaking quorum is an extreme step.It should be a last resort,” State Rep. James Talarico told POLITICO in an interview last Tuesday. He was among the 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state in 2021 over an election bill. Democrats are said to be headed to Illinois, a blue state with a governor who has accused Texas Republicans of cheating by trying to finagle redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.
They are expected to touch down in Illinois on Sunday, setting off a standoff with Abbott in the high-stakes redistricting battle.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Witch(sic) bus jazz-mean riding on?
This again. The fleeing Dems. 😂🤣
Thew Dems pulled this “flee” garbage before.
Don’t let them come back.
Dems leaving Texas would be great for the State.
Prison time. Sore losers...etc., etc., ad nauseum.
Yeah they can LEAVE and never come back, sounds good to me, best decision they have ever made! Its ironic, the commies are SO upset about redistricting, but they are fine with importing MILLIONS of illegals so they get counted on the census and Dems gain 30+ congressional seats
“Democrats are said to be headed to Illinois, a blue state with a governor who has accused Texas Republicans of cheating by trying to finagle redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.”
They used to go to Ardmore, Oklahoma. Then the Governor of Oklahoma said the would allow Texas rangers to arrest them while they were there.
Don’t forget to pull the fire alarm immediately before you exit the building.
Surely they’ve learned that from Jamaal!
That’s ironic.
Heading to Illinois - the most gerrymandered - for the Democrats - state in the country. Although California is right up there.
Always happens. The toddlers will return and it will pass
Are they going to IL because IL has agreed to pay for their stay...?
Because if IL is paying for this, why can’t that quid pro quo be construed as a bribe?
John Milner wrote: “That’s ironic. Heading to Illinois - the most gerrymandered - for the Democrats - state in the country. Although California is right up there.”
Easy to understand. To a Texas democrat, Illinois does gerrymandering to right way, to increase democrat seats.
Weren’t arrest warrants issued last decade in Dallas when they pulled this same stunt?
I hope the Texas rangers are ready to arrest them and bring them back in cuffs.
Would that be an act of war by the state of Illinois?
Disagree. While I despise the Democrat platform, when you’re in the minority sometimes denial of quorum is your only option. Same thing happened here in Oregon, except it was Republicans that walked out. They were able to kill some really bad bills, but they ended up losing their seats in the process. We lost some great conservative legislators. Careful what you wish for.
Sometimes walking out is “doing your job.”
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