Texas Democrats are leaving the state in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
The dramatic move Sunday could expose Democrats to fines and other penalties — with the state’s attorney general having previously threatened to arrest them if they took such an action. Refusing to attend legislative session is a civil violation, however, so Democrats legally could not be jailed and it’s unclear who has the power to carry out the warrants.
Democrats have cast the decision to leave the state as a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans who hold full control of the Texas government from pushing through a rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map at the direction of President Donald Trump.
Refusing to attend legislative session is a civil violation, however, so Democrats legally could not be jailed and it’s unclear who has the power to carry out the warrants.
Texas: Hold my beer.
That’s why they’re leaving the state. It’s conceivable that Texas Rangers could arrest lawmakers on these warrants for the purpose of returning them directly to the legislature. It’s much less conceivable that Texas can get extradition from another state.
Hopefully
Trump: Hold my
beerdemocracyI’m just not putting anything past him right now. He wants an official constitutional crisis sooo bad. The war of passive aggression is only fun when people are bowing down to him.
I’m also just really worried since MAGA base hasn’t let go of Epstein, he would use something like this as a distraction. Especially with all those new ICE hires who I’m sure would jump at the chance to receive a medal for violating the constitution on behalf of POTUS. But that is also just me being anxious and trying to prepare for worst case scenario.
I’m glad they’re at least trying to resist bc this is insane, and he’s honestly left them with no other option. Even if they do just vote for it anyway, I’m not sure what else Dems really can do at this point? At least they’re doing something.
Hoping this is receiving local attention, but if TX news is looking anything like local news in my state rn I would guess that’s a no.
Watch Republicans just vote for it and it goes into effect. Not like Republicans care about rules or laws.
Other slightly less worrisome and actually more likely worst case scenario.
Well, it’s not like anyone else is trying to stop them or anything. The ones who are supposed to are either sitting at home, or have left the state.
Are they going to hold Ted Cruz to the same standards they come up with?
No bc laws only apply to people who don’t bow to the king. Trump insulted Ted Cruz’s wife in front of the nation, and he still puckers up to kiss that ring at every chance he gets.
No Kings for USA!
Is this the first time I’m seeing Democrats with cajones? Because the roll over and die shit is getting old.
this is not the first time Texas Dems have left the state to try to push back against the GOP stranglehold.
btw, all the comments i read around here saying Texans deserve [whatever]? we’re fighting a rigged game in this state. Abbot, Paxton etc do not represent us all.
It’s 2026, Democrats have received 60% of the Nationwide votes in a landslide victory, but regardless, republicans have won 250+ of the 435 seats.
This is what you get when libs love playing by the rules and have non-partisan/bi-partisan redistricting committees in blue states, while simultaneously you have the far-right doing this shit.
Let me understand:
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It’s not okay for cops to be criminals to stop criminals
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It’s desired for legislators to be evil to stop evil.
It still doesn’t make sense, but it think that’s the sentiment here.
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Why do they even attempt or try something like that if they don’t follow through with it and nothing happens anyway. This isn’t even the first time they have attempted it, and last time it didn’t work either, so… what are they thinking when trying this?
