A showdown is unfolding in Texas as Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to take away Democrats who have fled the state in protest of Republican-led effort to create a brand new congressional map.
Abbott mentioned Texas Home Democrats have till 3 p.m. native time on Monday to return to the statehouse for the particular session or threat dropping their jobs. Texas Lawyer Common Ken Paxton instructed Democrats who left must be arrested and forcibly introduced again.
The response from the Texas Home Democratic Caucus to Abbott’s menace was, “Come and take it.”
Democratic members who left the state are slated to carry numerous occasions all through the day Monday in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.
The proposed congressional map, backed by President Donald Trump, might create as much as 5 new Republican seats and assist Republicans hold management of the Home within the 2026 midterm elections. Consideration of the invoice had been set for Monday, however can’t proceed if Democrats deny a quorum.
The State Capitol is seen on July 21, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Photos
The primary press convention with Texas Democrats on Monday was with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in Albany.
“We cannot sit on the sidelines whereas Republicans attempt to rig the system to provide Donald Trump extra unchecked energy,” Hochul mentioned in a press release. “Texas Democrats are standing up for the way forward for our democracy, and I am proud to face with them within the battle in opposition to disenfranchisement.”
Texas Home Democrats who’ve gone to Massachusetts for the Nationwide Convention of State Legislators summit will probably be joined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for a press convention in Boston on Monday at 1 p.m. ET. Then, Texas Home Democrats who’ve gathered in Illinois will maintain a press convention with Democratic members of Congress in Chicago.
Pritzker on Sunday accused Trump of “rigging” the brand new Texas maps out of desperation and fear that on account of his insurance policies, he was at risk of dropping Home Republican majorities in Washington. The Illinois governor additionally warned the newly-proposed maps set a harmful precedent throughout the nation.
“This isn’t simply rigging the system in Texas,” Pritzker mentioned. “It is about rigging the system in opposition to the rights of all Individuals for years to return.”
Abbott, in his warning to Texas Home Democrats, mentioned leaving the state in protest amounted to “abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state workplace.”
“Actual Texans don’t run from a battle,” Abbott mentioned within the assertion. “However that is precisely what many of the Texas Home Democrats simply did. Quite than doing their job and voting on pressing laws affecting the lives of all Texans, they’ve fled Texas to deprive the Home of the quorum obligatory to satisfy and conduct enterprise.”
