Leaders, groups react to Texas House Democrats leaving the state in effort to stop GOP’s proposed congressional map

HOUSTON — More than 51 Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives quietly flew to Chicago on Sunday afternoon, denying quorum in the chamber and temporarily delaying Republican efforts to approve new congressional maps.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus said they were left with “no other option” but to take the “extraordinary and necessary” step of leaving the state and denying quorum.

Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the caucus, said in part, “This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity. Governor Abbott has turned the victims of a historic tragedy into political hostages in his submission to Donald Trump. He is using an intentionally racist map to steal the voices of millions of Black and Latino Texans, all to execute a corrupt political deal.”

The quorum break comes nearly a month after catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country killed more than 130 people.

Democrats said they had pushed for disaster relief to be prioritized during the current special legislative session, but claim Republican leaders instead used the crisis to fast-track a redistricting plan designed to benefit GOP interests.

KHOU 11’s Troy Kless spoke to Rep. Ron Reynolds, whose district includes Fort Bend County was on the plane with Democrats going to Chicago.

“We saw that this was the only option that we have at the present moment to fight back, to help save our democracy. So we are making good trouble, and we are doing everything we can to help stop the steal of our congressional seats,” Rep. Reynolds said.

KHOU 11 also spoke to Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, who called the move “widely anticipated.”

“The most likely scenario, is that what this quorum break will do is delay the process, put a spotlight on Texas Republicans’ efforts to engage in this mid-cycle redistricting, but eventually not stop the overall passage of the bill,” Jones said.

“We’ve never seen Texas Democrats or any group really be able to stay out of the state for such a substantial period of time without fissures emerging within the party,” Jones added.

“Today, Texas House Democrats are taking a stand for Texans and all Americans.  By preventing a quorum in the Texas House, they are doing the real work Texans need and deserve at this moment–standing up for all Texans and all of our right to have a say at the ballot box and in our government.  

“This is an act of courage and commitment to the people–the exact opposite of the actions of Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans who are surrendering Texas to President Trump and attempting to pass a new map drawn by Washington operatives that assaults every community in our state.  Texas Democrats not only refuse to surrender our fellow Texans, they are taking the fight from Texas to raise awareness across the country.

“We often say ‘everything is bigger in Texas.’  But this is bigger than Texas.  This redistricting effort is an attack on our Constitution, our right to vote, and our ability to have a government of, by, and for the people.  Texas House Democrats are demonstrating what it really means to represent the people and are meeting this moment with the urgency, courage, and resolve it demands.”

 “For too long, Donald Trump and Republicans have tried to get away with rigging the system, breaking the rules, and scheming to hold onto power. It’s time to fight back. Republicans are going after people’s health care, jobs, and pocketbooks while wrecking the economy to protect or enrich a handful of elites — and then they think they can get away with it by rigging the maps to overrule the will of voters. For weeks, we’ve been warning that if Republicans in Texas want a showdown — if they want to delay flood relief to cravenly protect Donald Trump from an inevitable midterm meltdown — then we’d give them that showdown. That’s exactly what Texas Democrats did today: blowing up Republicans’ sham special session that’s virtually ignored the plight of flood victims in Kerr County. Republicans thought they could just rig the maps and change the rules without the American people taking notice. They were dead wrong. The DNC is proud to support these legislators in standing up and showing real leadership. We will fight alongside them to stop this anti-democratic assault. And, after this fight is done, we’re coming full force for the Republicans’ House majority.”

In a post to X, Attorney General Paxton said, “Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law.”

“The Texas House will be convening at 3:00pm tomorrow. If a quorum is not present then, to borrow the recent talking points from some of my Democrat colleagues, all options will be on the table. . .”

“Greg Abbott just told flood survivors across Texas that their suffering comes second to Donald Trump’s thirst for power. He’s holding disaster flood relief hostage to steal five congressional seats – because Trump said so. That’s not governing, that’s gutless. Your right to representation in your government is under attack, and Texas Democrats will protect your rights through any means necessary. We’re backing our Democratic lawmakers who are fighting against Trump’s Texas Takeover nationwide. The Texas Democratic Party will do everything we can to support our lawmakers, fight back against this power grab, and ensure all voices are heard at the ballot box.”

In a post to X, Rep. Cody Vasut said in part, “Ironic to see reports Democrats are abandoning their job in Texas over ‘redistricting’ by traveling to Illinois.”

“We should be in Austin right now, working to support grieving communities devastated by the July 4th floods that took more than 135 of our fellow Texans – many of them families and children. That’s what Texans deserve in the wake of a horrific tragedy. Unfortunately, Republicans, at the request of Donald Trump, have hijacked our special legislative session to launch a blatant and calculated power grab. It’s unconscionable and an insult to the flooding victims, survivors, and their loved ones. As Chair of the Progressive Caucus’s Redistricting effort, I’ve led these fights before – and am doing it again because Republicans have left us no choice. I will not sit back and let them try to silence our communities, dilute the electoral power of minority voters, and rig our democracy behind closed doors. I will do everything in my power to stand up for my constituents and ALL Texans – including leaving my family and my home to deny these manipulated maps a chance to get a vote on the floor. Texans deserve better than shameful Republicans using minority voters as political pawns. The Texas Democratic caucus remains united and stands ready to get back to the work of delivering critical flood recovery and disaster relief. But when our communities’ ability to choose their own representatives is under attack, we must stand up and show them we have their backs – we’re not going down without a fight.”

“This is the rot at the core of our broken political system. We normally redistrict at the beginning of the decade after a new census. But Trump and Texas Republicans are trying to redraw these maps in the middle of the decade to rig the 2026 midterms. It’s like two football teams coming out of the locker room at halftime, and the team that’s ahead changes the rules of the game to make sure they win. It’s cheating. Plain and simple. We may not be at the Capitol, but we’re doing our jobs. We may not be in Texas, but we’re fighting for our constituents. We’re not just fighting for Democrats — we’re fighting for Independents and Republicans too. Because in a democracy, voters are supposed to choose their politicians — not the other way around. Regardless of political party, we cannot allow politicians to silence our voices and rig this election.”

“51 Texas House Democrats are engaging in a selfish dereliction of duty preventing state business. I support any and all measures taken by Governor Abbott and state leaders to end this charade.”