Democrats say their strategy to fight the maps that could give Republicans five seats in Congress will soon be going to court.
AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time in two weeks, a quorum was met in the Texas House after many Democrats returned to Austin.
That allowed the legislature to advance a bill to redraw maps that will likely affect Houston’s representation in Congress. Democratic leaders said they believe their quorum break was a success.
Democrats argue their strategy to fight the maps—which could give Republicans five additional congressional seats—will soon move to the courts.
“We’re coming back to fight on our own terms, not on their terms,” Rep. Gene Wu of Houston said after the House made a quorum Monday. He called the quorum break a success after the first special session ended with no action.
“We were prepared to be out months if not weeks, but we never expected the American public to come with support, for other states to step up so quickly,” Wu said.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said Monday this second special session will move quickly. That includes the proposal to redraw congressional maps—expected to give Republicans five more seats. Other legislative items, such as flood relief for the Texas Hill Country and regulation of THC products, could also return for debate.
“This body has endured wars, economic depressions, and quorum breaks dating back to the very first session. It will withstand this too, and the majority has the right to prevail and the minority a right to be heard,” Burrows said, calling the past two weeks “tumultuous” as Democrats broke quorum.
The minority party can only slow down the proposed maps, which could reach the House floor in days.
Wu said Democrats plan to pursue legal action, arguing the proposed maps in a non-census year violate the Voting Rights Act.
“These illegal maps already based on already racist and unconstitutional maps litigated not just barely a month ago, it can only get worse from there. This is probably, from the experts we’ve talked to, the worst discrimination in redistricting since the Jim Crow era,” Wu said.
Texas House Democrats who had warrants for their arrest were only allowed to leave with a Texas DPS trooper, according to Burrows.
The special House committee on redistricting is meeting now and is expected to advance the maps quickly.
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