Nine Texas Democrats walked out of the State Senate chamber Tuesday to protest debate on the state GOP’s redistricting plan, which could give the party five extra congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Even so, the maneuver was symbolic, since the Dems were one member short from blocking the vote. State Sens. Judith Zaffrini, D-Laredo, and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, remained seated during the walkout.
In a statement, the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus said it’s protesting Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to tie debate over Texas Hill country flood relief to passing new political maps for the state.
“Abbott could make an interim budget transfer right now to get help out the door — without legislation,” the statement said. “He could call a new special session focused solely on flood relief and preparedness. He could even work to get FEMA funds released without a state match. But he won’t because he’s marching to the order of DC bosses and billionaire donors, holding Texans hostage to their corrupt redistricting scheme.”
Abbott added an unusual mid-decade congressional redistricting to the special session’s agenda at the request of President Donald Trump, who’s trying to stave off midterm losses in the U.S. House. Presidents typically face a pendulum swing to the other party two years after their election, and Trump’s unpopularity suggests the 2026 swing will be wide.
Although the Texas Senate’s redistricting bill passed 19-2, the legislation can’t advance any further as long as there’s not a vote in the lower chamber. However, Texas House Democrats broke quorum last week, fleeing to blue states to wait out the end of the session.
In response, Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican ally, have threatened to remove Democrats from office for breaking quorum. Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows has also issued civil warrants for their arrest.
During a Monday press conference in Chicago, Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu warned that Abbott’s and Paxton’s redistricting efforts — including their threats of retribution for political rivals — are a slippery slope toward authoritarianism.
“This is happening across the country, and if we don’t stop it, this is the end,” Wu said. “If we don’t stop this authoritarianism, by the time we realize that we need to fight back, it may be too late.”
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This article appears in Aug 7-20, 2025.
