Overview

• Sen. Carol Alvarado, the chamber’s minority leader, began a prolonged floor speech to delay the Republican redistricting bill.
• She prepared with a catheter, urine bag, and pre-filibuster IV and must stand without eating, drinking, or leaving under Texas Senate rules.
• The proposed map has already passed the Texas House and is reported to give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats.
• GOP lawmakers downplayed the effort’s chances, with Rep. Mitch Little saying she cannot filibuster long enough to block the bill.
• If the Senate advances the plan, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign it, setting up likely legal challenges from Democrats.