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22h ago

Texas GOP Plans Successive Sessions as Redistricting Quorum Standoff Escalates

Gov. Greg Abbott is leveraging arrest warrants, daily fines, expedited court petitions to force absent Democrats to return before this week's deadline.

FILE - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
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Overview

  • More than 50 Texas House Democrats remain out of state, denying the chamber a quorum and stalling the GOP-led attempt to redraw congressional districts.
  • Speaker Dustin Burrows set a Friday deadline to restore quorum or sine die the special session and said Republicans will convene a second special session immediately to pursue redistricting.
  • Republicans have issued civil arrest warrants and imposed $500 daily fines on absent Democrats, while Gov. Greg Abbott and AG Ken Paxton filed expedited petitions with the Texas Supreme Court seeking to vacate the seats of lawmakers who broke quorum.
  • Abbott disclosed discussions to increase GOP gains beyond the five seats already proposed and warned he could eliminate ten Democratic districts if California adds five seats to favor Democrats.
  • The standoff has drawn national attention, with President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom weighing reciprocal map changes, heightening the stakes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.