Texas Democrats end walkout as Republicans try to pass redrawn map

The standoff began on 3 August, when dozens of Democratic state representatives boarded a plane to Chicago in order to deny the Texas House the quorum needed to conduct business.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: August 18, 2025 10:24 PM IST

2 min read

Diana Castillo-Perez from San Antonio holds up a sign during the Fight the Trump Takeover rally at the Texas Capitol, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP)

Texas Democrats returned to the state on Monday after a two-week walkout that had delayed a Republican-led effort to redraw congressional map. Their return gives Republicans the numbers needed to move forward with the plan, which has the backing of US President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported.

The standoff began on 3 August, when dozens of Democratic state representatives boarded a plane to Chicago in order to deny the Texas House the quorum needed to conduct business. At least 100 members of the 150-seat chamber must be present. In recent days, numbers had hovered just below that threshold.

Governor Greg Abbott, along with Attorney General Ken Paxton, had gone to court to try to force the lawmakers back. State House Speaker Dustin Burrows also issued arrest warrants and threatened fines of $500 a day under House rules, while Senator John Cornyn sought help from the FBI.

Despite those measures, most Democrats only decided to return after the first special legislative session expired on Friday. Representative Gene Wu, a Democrat from Houston, said their action was meant to lay the groundwork for a legal challenge. “Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this map in court,” he told The New York Times.

Some Democrats remain opposed to returning. Jolanda Jones, a Democrat from Houston, told The New York Times: “I’m not coming back. The only power we have is the power to deny them a quorum. Who goes to a fight where you’ve already lost?”

Republicans argue the redistricting effort is a normal part of politics, while Democrats say it dilutes the influence of Black and Hispanic voters, raising concerns about the Voting Rights Act.

The dispute has reached beyond Texas. According to Reuters, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled his own redistricting plan, which he said could add five seats for Democrats. Republican-led states such as Florida, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio are also considering changes to their maps.

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Mr Abbott has said he will keep calling special sessions until the map is passed. Flood recovery measures that were also on the agenda have been delayed until after redistricting is resolved.

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