Texas Democrats Block Quorum to Halt GOP Gerrymandering Plans

Texas Democrats have fled the state to Illinois to block Republicans from redrawing congressional districts in a way that would favor the GOP, aiming to deny quorum and prevent passage of the new map. This tactic echoes a previous 2003 effort by Texas Democrats, known as the "Killer Ds," though that attempt ultimately failed when a member returned, allowing the map to pass. Republicans, under pressure from President Trump, are pushing to increase their advantage in Texas’s congressional delegation, which currently favors them disproportionately compared to the statewide vote. Critics argue that both parties engage in gerrymandering to maintain political power, with Democrats controlling urban areas and Republicans controlling many state legislatures, and that this practice undermines representative democracy. Blue-state Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have expressed strong support for efforts to fight GOP redistricting maneuvers, seeing it as crucial to their party’s chances in upcoming House elections and Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential ambitions. The redistricting battle in Texas has become a national flashpoint, illustrating the high stakes involved as both parties seek to shape the political landscape ahead of midterm elections.