Texas Democrats leave the state to block vote on redrawn House map backed by Trump

Texas Democrats left the state Sunday in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

The dramatic move could expose Democrats to fines and other penalties - with the state's attorney general having previously threatened to arrest them if they took such an action. Refusing to attend legislative session is a civil violation, however, so Democrats legally could not be jailed and it's unclear who has the power to carry out the warrants.

Democrats have cast the decision to leave the state as a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans who hold full control of the Texas government from pushing through a rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Governor Kathy Hochul: Welcome. Six Texas state legislators to our capitol. And I acknowledge who they are. We have Representative Lulu Flores, representative Vicki Goodwin, representative Cassandra Garcia Hernandez represented Yolanda Jones, representative McClay of placer, representative Suleiman Nomani. Remember those names? Those are the 2025 candidates, in my opinion, for Profiles in Courage. I'm proud to be joined by Carl Speaker Hasty. We've had robust conversation.

First of all, I hosted them at the governor's residence early this morning to make sure they are well fed with New York food, as well as giving them the opportunity to see a home that Franklin Roosevelt once lived in for inspiration as I'm inspired every day about knowing who we're fighting for and who are fighting against, these brave public servants are taking a stand, a strong stand against a blatant power grab that's happening in their state as we speak. And this will have implications not just in Texas, but for our entire nation and its future. First of all, by breaking quorum, using a legitimate form of government. Correct? We've talked about this.

This is not breaking the law. This is a legitimate process that has been used before by breaking quorum and being here today. These legislators are getting into what John Lewis might call good trouble. Good trouble is the best kind of trouble. You know, I because now that we have the attorney general, the Texas attorney general, who, by the way, is obsessed with going after doctors in our state who are simply providing medication, abortion assistance to people who are denied that by their own states. Now he's threatened to arrest each and every one of them if they don't return to Austin, but they're being asked to return to vote for a radical, radical redrawing of the congressional lines that were already adopted. They're being adopted in favor of Republicans. And, of course, where did this come from? Well, Donald Trump came up with a scheme, perhaps with some help with I, I don't know, but they have literally redrawn five congressional districts, primarily representing communities of color that need the representation. They've drawn racist lines to disenfranchize millions of Texans. So what does this have to do with the state of New York? It's a good question. I'll tell you this. The last six months, Donald Trump and his cowardly Republican enablers have pursued an agenda that has destroyed all we hold dear in this country. It's harmed the American people, but also the people I represent in the state of New York.

They've denied lifesaving health care to millions of people. They've denied food to poor children. Why all this? To give tax breaks to their billionaire buddies. And also now they're crushing the middle class with tariffs, which are simply poorly disguised taxes. We're hearing the news today. However, thing is going to go off a backpack that you could have bought for just $30 in May is now $50 for moms and dads getting ready for back to school shopping. That's the direct impact on New Yorkers and Americans, but also at the same time in our states. And many others are sending masked, armed individuals to snatch law abiding residents off the streets as their own children scream in terror. That is happening on the streets of our great country. So people are basically disgusted. They're disgusted with this trampling of their basic human rights rights that we've always cherished and fought for in this country. And that is precisely why New York has a strong interest in what is occurring almost across the country.