Texas House Democrats Break Quorum To Block Redistricting Vote

Texas Democrats have fled the state to break quorum and block a vote on a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan ahead of the 2026 midterms, with 57 legislators reportedly leaving, many to Illinois. The redistricting effort, pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott at the urging of President Trump, aims to redraw congressional maps that could give Republicans five new House seats, a move critics call blatant gerrymandering. Texas House Democrats accuse Abbott of using a special session originally called for flood relief to instead advance a partisan agenda, describing it as a corrupt process that silences minority communities. Republican leaders defend the new maps as more representative and compact, noting increased majority-minority districts, and criticize Democrats for fleeing to protest a process similar to one used by Democrats in Illinois. The Democratic walkout has sparked a partisan standoff, with Republicans urging Democrats to return and participate in the vote, while Democrats remain committed to blocking what they view as an unfair redistricting scheme. The situation highlights ongoing tensions over electoral fairness and representation in Texas politics.