Texas Democrats Are Set to Disrupt the House Floor by Destroying Commitments and Exiting Under Police Guard, Later to Return in Protest
Texas House Democrats Stage Overnight Protest Against Controversial Redistricting Plan
House Republicans announced on Monday that the House would reconvene to vote on a redistricting plan, a move that has been met with opposition from Texas Democrats. This opposition reached a climax on Tuesday when a group of Democrats, led by Rep. Nicole Collier, staged an overnight protest in the Capitol.
The Democrats refused to leave the House chamber without agreeing to be shadowed by law enforcement, a move aimed at opposing the GOP's proposed mid-decade redistricting map. The map, if passed, aims to give Republicans five additional congressional seats. The protest included Rep. Collier, who was confined to the House chamber for refusing to sign a permission slip for the escort, and other Democrats who participated in an extended walkout.
Their action sparked chants and protests outside, highlighting opposition to what Democrats say is a partisan gerrymander and a misuse of power. The Democrats plan to continue fighting the map through legal challenges, aiming to block it in court.
Despite the Democratic resistance, Texas House Republicans approved the GOP map. In response, threats of retaliatory measures against Democrats were made by GOP leaders. However, the Democrats view their walkout and protest as successful in drawing national attention and inspiring similar protests in other states.
The redistricting maps threaten to divide Texas communities and could strip representation from historically-united Texas neighborhoods. The maps are associated with Trump and Abbott, adding fuel to the fire of the partisan dispute.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has set conditions for the departure of Democrats from the House floor: they must receive written permission and agree to be under a Department of Public Safety officer's escort until the chamber reconvenes on Wednesday morning. Rep. Collier has stayed in the House chamber for over 24 hours, and other Democrats have joined her on the House floor overnight.
The Texas House is aiming to vote on the redistricting measure after it reconvenes at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, but the timing for final passage remains unclear. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has stated that he is focusing his time on important legislation.
Despite the limited legislative options available to them, the Democrats are not backing down. Their protest move continues to draw attention to their redistricting fight, and they plan to continue fighting the map through legal challenges.
CNN has reached out to the speaker's office for comment. All Democrats who were present agreed to these conditions, except for Rep. Collier. The Democrats fled the state earlier this month to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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