Overview

• State Rep. Nicole Collier invoked runaway slaves and Jews fleeing the Holocaust to justify Democrats leaving Texas to block a vote.
• Her remarks came during House floor debate as members weighed a GOP redistricting plan that ultimately cleared the chamber on Wednesday night.
• A total of 51 Democrats had traveled to Illinois on Aug. 4 to break quorum, prompting arrest warrants, fines, and legal efforts reported by the governor’s office.
• Collier spent a night on the Capitol floor and refused Department of Public Safety custody after the speaker ordered 24/7 trooper accompaniment for Democrats.
• Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones previously made a Holocaust comparison in a media interview as criticism of such rhetoric mounted.