Articles in this Cluster
04-08-2025
Texas Democratic state lawmakers fled the state—most to Illinois—to deny a quorum and block a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan endorsed by Donald Trump that would create five new GOP-leaning House seats. Governor Greg Abbott threatened penalties and possible removal, while Attorney General Ken Paxton warned of arrests. Democrats say they’re protesting a “rigged system.” The special session also includes disaster relief and a THC ban. The proposed map could raise Republicans’ Texas seats from 25 to 30, reshaping districts in the Rio Grande Valley, Austin, northern Texas, and Houston. This is the third such quorum-denial by Texas Democrats since 2003. Redrawing mid-decade is uncommon, as redistricting typically follows the decennial census.
04-08-2025
CNN reports that Texas House Democrats left the state to deny Republicans a quorum and block a vote on a GOP redistricting plan backed by Donald Trump to rewrite the state’s congressional map. Reporter Steve Contorno explains the tactic is meant to stall the legislation, draw national attention, and increase pressure on Republicans, calling it an extraordinary move aimed at protecting voting representation.
04-08-2025
Texas Republicans are advancing an aggressive mid-decade redistricting plan, backed by Donald Trump, that could add five GOP-leaning US House seats. In protest, Texas House Democrats fled the state to deny a quorum. Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to remove absent lawmakers and suggested possible bribery charges if they accept funds for travel, saying gerrymandering is legal. National Democrats, including Rep. Greg Casar and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, condemned Abbott’s threats and are organizing protests. Democratic governors, notably New York’s Kathy Hochul, are exploring countermeasures by redrawing maps in blue states. The clash follows the Supreme Court’s 2019 Rucho decision limiting federal court review of partisan gerrymandering, intensifying nationwide map battles ahead of the 2026 midterms.
04-08-2025
Texas House Democrats left the state to block a Republican-led congressional redistricting plan they say is a racist, partisan gerrymander supported by former President Donald Trump. CNN’s Ed Lavandera reports the move is an extraordinary attempt to deny a quorum and stall the map, amid broader national political tensions and legal scrutiny over voting rights and representation.
04-08-2025
Texas House Democrats left the state to deny Republicans a quorum and block a vote on a GOP effort, backed by former President Donald Trump, to redraw Texas’ congressional map. CNN’s Steve Contorno explained the tactic as a procedural move to stall the redistricting push.
