URGENT UPDATE: Tensions escalate in Texas as the House of Representatives prepares to reconvene today at 1 p.m. CT. The meeting’s future remains uncertain as several Democratic lawmakers have fled the state in protest of a controversial Republican redistricting plan.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate and arrest the fleeing Democrats, stating that this order will remain in effect until all members are “accounted for and brought back” to Austin. The urgency of this situation is palpable, as the Texas House seeks to advance a redistricting effort that could add up to five new Republican seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Democratic exodus began on Sunday, triggered by the GOP’s push for a new congressional map, which faces opposition from both state and national Democratic leaders. Notably, President Donald Trump has backed the redistricting efforts, asserting in a phone interview on CNBC that Republicans are “entitled” to more congressional representation.
“We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats,” Trump stated, highlighting the stakes involved in this redistricting battle.
In a show of bipartisan solidarity, Democratic leaders from New York and California, including governors Kathy Hochul and Gavin Newsom, have voiced their support for Texas Democrats, pledging to counteract partisan redistricting efforts in their own states.
Today’s press conference, featuring Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin alongside Texas House Democrats and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, promises to further illuminate the ongoing struggle.
As the clock ticks down to the House session, the potential ramifications of this showdown extend beyond Texas borders, affecting congressional dynamics nationwide. With both sides gearing up for a fierce battle, the developments today could reshape the political landscape leading into the critical midterm elections.
Stay tuned for live updates as the situation unfolds. The stakes are high, and every moment counts in this urgent fight over legislative power in Texas.