Return of Texas Democrats Means GOP Looks Set to Pass Its Extreme Gerrymander 

By Jen Rice

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu along with other members of the Texas House are joined by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as they speak about Texas Republican plans to redraw the House map office during a press conference at the Democratic Party of DuPage County office in Carol Stream, IL on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Black) 

The Texas House returned to business Monday, making quorum for the first time since Democrats left the state to block a Republican redistricting map that could add five GOP seats in Congress. 

Enough Democrats returned to allow the House to go back into session — which likely will let the GOP pass their extreme gerrymander this week. 

Underlining the authoritarian nature of the Republican plan, legislative leaders said law enforcement officers would ensure Democratic members attend this week’s session.

Democrats ran out the clock on Gov. Greg Abbott (R)’s 30-day special legislative session, but Abbott immediately called a second session Friday to resume the GOP effort to pass the map.

While 119 out of 150 members were present Monday, many House Democrats are still refusing to return to Austin. At least 20 House Democrats who left the state did not return to the House floor Monday.

Shortly after roll call, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) advised returning members they will be in the custody of law enforcement officers who will compel them to attend when the House meets again on Wednesday. 

“Members who have not been present until today, for whom arrest warrants were issued, will be granted written permission to leave only after agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated DPS officer appointment under the rules of the House, who will ensure your return Wednesday at 10am,” Burrows said. “For those still absent, civil arrest warrants remain in force.”

With the second special session underway, the Texas Senate redistricting committee voted over the weekend to advance the redistricting map. The Senate already gave the map final approval, but now must repeat the process for the second special session. 

Unlike their House colleagues, Senate Democrats have not left the state to block the map. Nine out of 11 Democrats walked out to protest the vote, but two others remained in the chamber and allowed Republicans to advance the map. 

Among the House Democrats who did not return Monday were Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, Rep. Aicha Davis and Rep. Ron Reynolds. 

Reynolds explained his decision in a statement posted on social media: 

“While I respect my Democratic colleagues who returned on the advice of our lawyers in order to establish a record for legal remedies, in good conscience I could not return and legitimize a process rooted in racial oppression.”