10-18-2025 5:55pm

Texas House Democrats to Return After Quorum Break Over Redistricting Battle

Dustin Terry Editor

Texas House Democrats to Return After Quorum Break Over Redistricting Battle

A group of Texas House Democrats who left the state in protest of a proposed congressional redistricting plan announced Thursday that they will return to Texas after the Legislature adjourns Friday. Their decision comes as California lawmakers introduce a counter redistricting proposal in response to Texas' mapping effort.

In a joint statement, Democratic members said they were advised by legal counsel to return to Austin in order to "build a strong public legislative record for the upcoming legal battle" over the new congressional map. The map, which has been stalled since Democrats left the state on August 3, would give Republicans up to five additional U.S. House seats.

The mid-decade redistricting push is unusual and has drawn national attention. Former President Donald Trumpreportedly urged Texas leaders to advance the plan as Republicans work to maintain their slim majority in Congress.

Political Standoff Continues

Governor Greg Abbott earlier this week asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu (D-Houston) from office over his role in the quorum break. Abbott said he plans to call additional special sessions, beginning immediately after the Legislature adjourns Friday.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he would close the current session if the House again failed to reach a quorum — the minimum 100 members required to conduct business in the 150-member chamber.

Since early August, 62 House Democrats have been absent from the state, spending time in Chicago, Massachusetts, and New York in an attempt to block the GOP-led redistricting plan. Democrats argue the proposed district lines dilute minority voting power, while Republicans say they are legally allowed to redraw maps for partisan advantage.

Statements From Lawmakers

“Texas House Democrats broke quorum and successfully mobilized the nation against Trump’s assault on minority voting rights,” Wu said in a statement, citing threats of arrest, financial penalties, and harassment during the standoff.

In a rare move, California Governor Gavin Newsom responded by calling a special election in his state to allow voters to consider a new congressional map meant to counter Texas' effort. California Democratic lawmakers say they have enough votes to advance the legislation.

“California won’t stand by and watch Trump burn it all down,” Newsom said in a public statement. “We are calling a special election to redraw our congressional maps and defend fair representation. This is a five-alarm fire for democracy.”