The Texas Legislature kicked off a collection of hearings Thursday centered on a uncommon mid-decade push by high Republicans to redraw the maps for the state’s congressional districts.
Forward of the assembly of the Texas Home’s Particular Committee on Congressional Redistricting, Democratic elected officers and advocacy teams rallied outdoors the state Capitol.
Their goal? To cease what they name a takeover of Texas by President Trump.
“Donald Trump is scared,” Congressman Greg Casar of Austin instructed the group at Thursday’s “Struggle the Trump Takeover” rally.
Casar is amongst a number of high-profile Democratic lawmakers who consider Gov. Greg Abbott’s transfer so as to add congressional redistricting to the state’s already packed particular session agenda is designed to maintain Republicans — and, in flip, the president — answerable for the U.S. Home forward of the 2026 midterm elections.
Casar believes that Democrats would win management of the U.S. Home subsequent 12 months if congressional maps stay as they’re in the present day — one thing that might stall Trump’s agenda over the past half of his time period.
“Donald Trump has no plan of successful the subsequent elections. He needs to rig them earlier than we even get an opportunity to vote,” stated Casar.
How did we get right here?
The transfer towards Texas contemplating redistricting outdoors of the standard 1o-year cycle stems from a letter the U.S. Division of Justice despatched to Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this month.
In it, the DOJ states that 4 congressional districts in Texas “at present represent unconstitutional coalition districts.” The letter, dated July 7, additional directed Abbott to “rectify these race-based concerns from these particular districts.”
In response, the governor added redistricting to his official name for Texas’ present particular session, which started on Monday. President Trump has stated he’s hoping Republicans might decide up as many as 5 new seats within the U.S. Home with newly drawn maps.
“This isn’t redistricting. It’s rigging,” stated Mia Balderas with MOVE Texas, an advocacy group centered on constructing the political energy of younger Texans.
She instructed the group of about 200 on Thursday that Texans deserve truthful maps drawn with folks — not energy — in thoughts.
“We won’t let Trump take over,” Balderas stated.
Democrats weigh walkout to dam GOP redistricting push
The precise affect state Democrats might have over the redistricting course of is proscribed within the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature.
The minority occasion doesn’t have sufficient votes to cease the try. However Democrats do have sufficient members to interrupt quorum — as in, not exhibiting up and stalling motion on the Capitol.
Breaking quorum requires one-third, or 50 Home members, to not be current on the Home flooring. Throughout that point, no votes may be taken on payments. Democrats at present maintain 62 seats within the Texas Home. Meaning if 50 of them can agree to go away, the chamber might be dropped at a standstill.
Austin Rep. Gina Hinojosa stated she is able to just do that.
“With my colleagues I’m ready to interrupt quorum when the time has come,” she stated at Thursday’s rally.
Since earlier than Texas’ particular legislative session began on Monday, Hinojosa and fellow Texas Democrats have said they consider the session’s focus ought to first be on flood reduction for the Hill Nation.
However since Republicans are answerable for each chambers of the Texas Legislature, they might select to convey up a redistricting invoice first on the Home flooring. That will put Democrats in a tricky scenario: strolling out earlier than passing payments that might assist victims of the lethal July 4 floods would look unhealthy politically.
Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke of El Paso additionally joined the rally. He stated Democrats shouldn’t be held answerable for not passing flood-related payments.
“The occasion that decides what’s most essential are the Republicans who’ve a majority,” O’Rourke stated on the rally.
“If the flooding is essential, let’s get to it proper now. You will have our full consideration. We’ll assist that.” However, he added, if Republicans “wish to play video games with it as a way to maximize your political energy — to disclaim the voters of Texas a free and truthful election — we’re not shopping for it.”
