Texas House Democrats face arrest warrants and fines for breaking quorum to block a GOP redistricting plan.
HOUSTON — More than 50 Democratic lawmakers in the Texas House are now facing civil arrest warrants and $500-a-day fines after breaking quorum to block a Republican-backed redistricting plan. Many have left the state, as GOP leaders move to force their return.
Without a quorum, the Texas House cannot legally conduct business. On Monday, Republican lawmakers returned to the Capitol for a special legislative session, only for it to be gavelled in and quickly out when attendance came up short.
“A quorum is not present,” announced House Speaker Dustin Burrows.
The House sergeant-at-arms was then directed to locate the absent members. Civil arrest warrants were issued, giving state troopers the authority to return the lawmakers to the Capitol.
“We have directed the sergeant to send for absentees for securing and maintaining attendance under warrant of arrest,” said Burrows.
At the center of the standoff is a new congressional redistricting proposal. Republicans, who currently hold 25 of the state’s 37 seats, are looking to expand their advantage. President Donald Trump has backed the plan, claiming it could deliver five additional GOP seats.
“We pick up five seats,” said President Trump recently.
But civil rights groups like LULAC and the NAACP said the plan would dilute minority voting power. Several held press conferences to support the Democrats’ walkout.
“We are here to declare full support,” said Dr. Sergio Lira with LULAC.
“We commend them, we are praying for them, and we stand behind them,” added Bishop James Dixon with the NAACP.
Democrats, now in Illinois, argue the proposal would disenfranchise Black and Latino voters.
“They literally want to take us back by disenfranchising Black and Brown communities,” said Rep. Ron Reynolds. “We say no… we say hell no. We will continue to fight.”
Speaker Burrows expressed hope that more lawmakers would return in the coming days
“I am hopeful more members will come back tomorrow,” he said during a press conference.
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to track down the Democrats. This is not the first time state lawmakers have used walkouts. A similar move occurred in 2003. At that time, John Whitmire was the one who returned to Texas and again in 2021, when Democrats fled the state for 38 days.