Texas governor set to initiate second extraordinary legislative session centering around redistricting, by this Friday
After the first special session ended without passing any legislation due to House Democrats fleeing the state, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called a second special session starting August 15, 2025. The session has the same 19 agenda items as the first, including redistricting congressional maps, addressing flood relief, eliminating the STAAR test, regulating THC, camp safety measures, and banning taxpayer-funded lobbying.
The core issue prompting the special sessions is the ongoing disagreement over redistricting that would increase Republican representation in Congress. House Democrats have used quorum-denial tactics by leaving the state, halting legislative progress. Governor Abbott is committed to continuing special sessions until the agenda is passed, saying he will not relent against what he calls the dereliction of duty by Democrats.
The Legislature reconvened for the second session with bills filed, and some committee hearings have begun on priority issues such as banning taxpayer-funded lobbying. However, the situation remains politically tense, with the key question being whether Democrats will return to the Capitol or continue their boycott.
The Texas House of Representatives will reconvene at 10 a.m. CT on Friday to try to reach quorum once again. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows asked lawmakers to be within six hours of the state capitol on Wednesday and Thursday in case there are indications a quorum could be reached on those days. If a quorum is not reached by Friday, the Texas House and Senate will "sine die the session."
Governor Abbott intends to continue calling special sessions until the Texas first agenda is passed. Some Republicans suggest a deal might be reached where flood relief and other priority legislation are handled before redistricting, which Democrats oppose. However, given the Republicans’ legislative majority, the new maps are likely to eventually pass despite Democratic opposition.
The end of the current special session and the start of the second special session would occur on the same day. The new congressional maps, if passed, could result in as many as five new Republican seats in the US Congress. The Texas House of Speaker reminded the absent Democrats that the devastation in hill country communities, the Texas Constitution, and their mounting debt should be enough to bring them back.
In summary, the second special session represents a continuation of a standoff over redistricting and quorum, with Governor Abbott prioritizing the full agenda and signaling readiness to call further sessions until passage is achieved. The pressure on the absent Democrats is growing, and the question remains whether they will return to the Capitol or continue their boycott.
[1] Texas Governor Abbott Calls Second Special Session
[2] Texas Democrats Flee State to Block Redistricting
[3] Texas Democrats Flee Austin to Deny Quorum, Thwarting GOP Agenda
[4] Texas Democrats Flee to Washington, D.C., to Block G.O.P. Redistricting Effort
[5] Texas Democrats flee the state to deny Republicans a quorum, stalling state business
[1] Following a failed first special session, Texas Governor Abbott calls a second special session to address policy-and-legislation, including politics related to redistricting congressional maps, which is causing ongoing disagreement between parties.
[2] In an attempt to block the redistricting process, creating potentially more Republican seats in the US Congress, House Democrats have fled the state, using tactics such as quorum-denial to halt legislative progress during the special sessions.
