Texas Democrats end redistricting walkout after California Democrats move forward with plans to redraw their map

[littlemissmartypants]

Source: Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats say they are ending a two-week walkout that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts to satisfy President Donald Trump’s demands for a greater GOP advantage.

Democratic leaders say they will return for a second special legislative session after seeing California Democratic leaders proceed with plans to redraw their own U.S. House maps to neutralize Republican gains in Texas.

The nation’s two most populous states have been at the forefront of a national fight to reshape the congressional landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Trump has sought to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority and avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterms during his first presidency, when Democrats regained House control and used their majority to stymie his agenda and twice impeach him.

Dozens of Texas House Democrats left the state more than two weeks ago to deny the GOP majority the attendance necessary to vote on redrawn maps intended to send five more Texas Republicans to Washington. They declared victory after Republicans adjourned that first session and Democrats around the country rallied in opposition to the Trump-led gerrymandering effort.

Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/texas-democrats-end-redistricting-walkout-after-california-democrats-move-forward-with-plans-to-redraw-their-map

[walkingman]

1. Proud of the Texas Dems and ashamed of Texas State Government.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. Please proceed, Texas repuQs

Dummymander yourselves into electoral oblivion.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Statements from State Party Chair and Representative Trey Martinez Fischer

Link to tweet

Statement from one of my favorite members of the Texas House (I testified before TMF back in 2011 on redistricting). My claims ended up in the redistricting lawsuit filed by LULAC. It was sad when the court rejected these claims but I respected the effort)

Link to tweet

[Fullduplexxx]

4. Well that's disappointing

[truthisfreedom]

5. Probably should walk out anyway.

The California attempt requires citizens of California to vote. No guarantees until it actually goes through.

[ClickClack]

6. Why aren't other blue states announcing the same effort as CA?

Emperor Sneer-o started this redistricting effort that TX Gov. Abbott obligingly pushed for. I say "Good for Gov. Newsom and California for announcing they will do the same" — but where are the other blue states making similar announcements? What's the hold-up, folks? Times a-wasting!
Tick-tick-tick.....

[Onama Biden Man]

7. They shouldn't have come back

It’s disappointing that they didn’t hold their ground and obstruct the redistricting scheme indefinitely

[LeftInTX]

8. They passed the bill in the House Committee this afternoon. No notice of meeting.

No public comments allowed.

[2 Meow Momma]

9. I think it's bullshit that they went back. This shit is real and deserves

something more than a performative 2 week walk out.

Performative…not even real.

[NowsTheTime]

10. NY Times article (State Dems have done this before, and did not hold out)....I guess we hope Calif can pass their plan

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/us/politics/redistricting-texas-maps.html