Texas Department of Public Safety establishes hotline to locate Democrats who abandoned the state during redistricting controversy
In a partisan fight over redistricting, Texas Democrats have left the state to prevent a special legislative session called by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. The Democrats' aim is to block a Republican-led redistricting plan that would create more Republican-leaning congressional seats in Texas, potentially securing five additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Democrats' move, known as a legislative walkout, denies a quorum, meaning there are not enough lawmakers present to conduct official business. This tactic has stalled the redistricting effort, with the Texas House set to reconvene on Tuesday, but the session is likely to be brief.
Republicans, led by Governor Abbott, have called for special sessions every 30 days to complete the redistricting work. Briscoe Cain, a Republican state representative, is confident that the redistricting work will be completed. However, the Democrats, led by Ann Johnson, remain undeterred and hope the nation will see the critical issue of fair play.
In response to the Democrats' absence, Republicans have taken measures to find and bring them back. The Texas Department of Public Safety is involved in efforts that include surveillance outside members' homes, door-knocking, and multiple phone calls daily. Republican state representatives Steve Toth and Briscoe Cain have urged Governor Abbott to take tougher action against absent Democrats, with Toth suggesting removing up to 12 Democrats from office.
The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has taken the matter a step further by filing a lawsuit to remove 13 absent state Democrats from office amid the redistricting fight. The efforts to locate the Democrats have so far been unsuccessful, according to Speaker Burrows, who has also set up a toll-free hotline for Texans to report sightings of absent Democrats.
Democrats accuse Texas Republicans of crossing a line by trying to appease President Donald Trump with a mid-decade redraw of the congressional map. Austin Democrat James Talarico states that Texas Democrats are willing to give up their positions to empower the people of Texas.
The standoff has also put pressure on Democrats in California to pass their own plan aimed at offsetting the GOP advantage in Texas. Republicans counter that Democrats must return so normal legislative functions can resume.
Tom Abrahams, a news enthusiast, is following updates on this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The redistricting work includes a new congressional map that benefits Republicans, with the ultimate goal of securing a stronger House majority for the GOP.
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