Texas Democrats leave state to stop vote on new congressional map
(MENAFN) A group of Democratic lawmakers in Texas has left the state in a dramatic attempt to prevent a vote on a new congressional map that, if passed, would give Republicans a significant advantage in upcoming elections.
The redistricting proposal, recently introduced by the Republican-controlled legislature and supported by President Donald Trump, aims to create five new districts favoring Republican candidates in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans hold only a narrow majority in that chamber.
In order to move forward with a vote in the Texas legislature, two-thirds of the 150 members must be present. To block this process, 51 Democratic legislators have exited the state—many of them heading to Illinois—thereby denying Republicans the quorum needed to proceed.
The absent lawmakers have indicated that they intend to remain out of state for the duration of a special legislative session, which spans two weeks.
This special session was called by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, and includes a number of agenda items: providing relief after recent deadly floods, enacting a ban on THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis—and advancing the proposed redistricting.
Governor Abbott has threatened to take action against those who fail to return, including the possibility of removing them from office. Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has warned that the absent legislators could be arrested. Each of the lawmakers could also face a $500 fine for every day they remain away from the legislature.
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