Texas Democrats, who broke quorum in an attempt to prevent Republicans’ gerrymander of the state, on Friday said they were proud of the fight they had put up thus far in their state but signaled that chapter may be coming to a close, with the battle playing out on the national level in the future.
Friday marked the final day of the special session called by Gov. Greg Abbot at the behest of President Donald Trump aimed at giving Republicans five more House seats. The scheme is part of a larger plan by Republicans to usher in an era of indefinite minority rule by changing House maps, federal law and the meaning of the Constitution to insulate themselves from the will of the voters.
By Friday afternoon, Abbott had already called a second special session. In Texas, the governor is allowed to call a 30-day special session every 30 days. In order to continue blocking the Republican gerrymander, Democrats would need to stay out of the state until it’s too late for the Texas state government to implement new maps, a decision that is ultimately up to the courts in Texas. In practical terms, however, this would likely mean staying out of the state for upwards of a year, or potentially longer, if Abbott continues his gerrymandering efforts after the midterms.
Texas Democrats said on a press call that they were proud of the fight that they had put up but suggested the gerrymander as inevitable.
“I’m honored that I get to fight along these men and women that have come to Chicago, and have gone to California, and have gone to New York and so many other states to make sure that everyone knows that, sadly … we are about to suffer the blunt force of Governor Abbott’s weakness,” state Rep. Ramón Romero Jr. said.
“We can’t lay down,” Romero continued. “Not at this time. We’re not gonna roll over the way he rolled over. We’re gonna continue to fight, and we are fighting at a great cost,” he said.
Democrats had previously indicated that they planned to continue breaking quorum through the end of the first special session. As of Friday, Democrats in the state were set to return for the second special session.
Texas lawmakers only make $600 a month for their legislative position, meaning most have day jobs that support them financially, making staying out of state long-term complex, especially considering the fees and legal costs associated with quorum breaking.
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about the Texas gerrymandering scheme
