Texas Democrats Defy Agreements, Remain in House Chamber Overnight in Protest, Under Police Escort
Texas House Democrats Continue Protesting Controversial Redistricting Plan
Texas House Democrats, who initially fled the state to deny quorum and block a controversial GOP redistricting plan, have returned to Austin but are continuing their protest against the proposed maps [1][3].
Following their return, many Democrats have refused to sign written agreements required by the House Republicans to leave the floor under police escort. Instead, they have chosen to remain on the House floor overnight in protest against what they call "racist redistricting maps" pushed by President Trump and Governor Abbott [2].
State Rep. Nicole Collier has stayed in the Texas House chamber for more than 24 hours without signing a "permission slip" to leave. Collier, along with several other Democrats, including Rep. Penny Morales Shaw, Rhetta Bowers, Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, Salman Bhojani, and Senfronia Thompson, have been present on the chamber floor [2].
The Democrats' motivation is rooted in opposition to a mid-decade redistricting effort Republicans initiated—pushed by Trump—that could net the GOP an additional five congressional seats in Texas for the 2026 midterms. Democrats argue that this threatens fair representation and disproportionately harms historically united Texas communities [1][2].
House Republicans announced a requirement for Democrats to sign a "permission slip" to leave after they returned from a 15-day quorum break on Monday. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows stated that Democrats could leave the House floor only with written permission and under a Department of Public Safety officer's escort until the chamber reconvenes on Wednesday morning [2].
Collier, who has been accompanied by State Rep. Gene Wu for most of the past day, criticized the restrictions on her movements as "un-American" and "not right." Collier defended the efforts of Texas Democrats to stall the partisan redistricting push, stating that they have exercised their constitutional right to deny a quorum [2].
The standoff highlights deep partisan conflict over redistricting and representation in Texas politics. Republicans have responded with legal and procedural pressure, including arrest warrants and seat vacancy lawsuits [4]. Despite this, Collier has received support from figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris, who called Collier on Tuesday to offer her backing [5].
CNN has reached out to the speaker's office for comment, but as of now, Burrows has stated that he is focusing his time on important legislation [6].
[1] [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/us/politics/texas-redistricting-democrats.html] [2] [https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/03/texas-democrats-redistricting-house-floor-protest/] [3] [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/03/texas-democrats-return-austin-end-quorum-break-redistricting-vote-proceeds/] [4] [https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/02/texas-democrats-quorum-break-gop-lawsuits-arrests-warrants/] [5] [https://www.thehill.com/homenews/campaign/571371-kamala-harris-backs-texas-democrat-who-refused-to-leave-state-chamber] [6] [https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/03/politics/texas-democrats-redistricting-house-floor-protest/index.html]
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