Texas Democrats who fled the state to block Republican redistricting efforts returned to Austin on Monday, ending a two-week standoff over President Donald Trump’s plan to add five GOP congressional seats.
Their return restored a quorum in the Texas House, allowing Republicans to move forward with passing new maps. Democrats had used their absence to stall legislative business and draw national attention to what they called an “off-cycle, racist gerrymander” pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott and Trump.
“The fight isn’t over,” the Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement. “We are entering the next phase in our battle against the gerrymander that provoked this weeks-long standoff.”
National Political Clash
The dispute set off a wider redistricting battle. California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to retaliate against Texas Republicans by redrawing his state’s congressional map to favor Democrats, while Trump has pressed GOP-led states such as Indiana and Missouri to adopt similar plans.
Quorum Restored
The Texas House gaveled into session Monday afternoon with enough members present to conduct business for the first time in weeks. The redistricting map and other bills now head to committee before debate resumes Wednesday.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, ordered state law enforcement officers to escort Democrats back to Austin over the next two days to ensure their attendance. Earlier, Texas leaders had authorized Department of Public Safety officers to canvass the state and monitor lawmakers’ homes during the walkout.
Pressure on Democrats
Democrats had said they would only return if the legislature ended its first special session and if California lawmakers introduced their own Democratic-friendly map. Both conditions were met Friday, prompting members to come back.
By breaking quorum, the Democrats accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and triggered a lawsuit from Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sought to remove some members from office.
The walkout also delayed aid for Central Texas flood victims, which Republicans put behind redistricting on the legislative calendar. Democrats called the move irresponsible, while GOP leaders argued that Democrats themselves were holding up relief by staying away.
Abbott, who has promised to keep calling special sessions until redistricting is resolved, convened a second session Friday, adding further pressure on Democrats to return.
