Democratic lawmakers have fled Texas to try to block the state’s effort to redistrict congressional lines.
This isn’t the first time that Texas lawmakers have walked out of the legislature, but this time other blue states are joining their efforts to raise the stakes in this political standoff.
I’m Susan Ferrechio, National Politics Reporter for The Washington Times.
I’m here to give you some insights into the cross-country redistricting battle happening right now.
Why did Texas Democrats leave the state?
Over 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state to prevent a quorum that was needed to vote on a mid-decade redistricting bill. Some of the lawmakers have left the state via a private jet, and some of them were criticized for that. And others left via bus, but they just basically said, “Look, we’re gonna be outside of Texas state lines.”
What’s in the bill that caused such a reaction?
Democrats wanted to avoid a vote on redistricting because it would ultimately result in five fewer congressional seats for their party.
Texas Republicans have 25 of the 38 congressional seats in the Congress, and Democrats have 12 seats.
Redistricting is a very significant part of who will win in various elections.
And this year, Republicans are hoping to hold on to the House majority. They have a very slim majority, about three seats.
Watch the video for the full conversation.
Read more from Susan Ferrechio:
- The Supreme Court of Texas has ordered the top Democrat in the Texas state legislature to respond to a lawsuit filed by Gov. Greg Abbott that seeks to remove him from office.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton set a Friday deadline for Democratic state lawmakers to return to work in the Legislature or else face removal from office.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the arrests of Democratic state legislators who have fled the state as a partisan standoff escalates over plans to redraw congressional districts in Republicans’ favor.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will speed up the redrawing of her state’s congressional districts in response to a plan in Texas to eliminate five U.S. House seats now controlled by Democrats.
- A standoff is brewing in Texas over Republican plans to redraw congressional districts in the GOP’s favor.