The Texas House reconvened Monday with a quorum restored after more than 50 Democratic lawmakers ended a two-week walkout that had blocked Republican efforts to push through a redistricting plan strongly backed by President Donald Trump.
The return of the Democrats allowed Republicans, led by House Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), to resume a second special session convened by Gov. Greg Abbott. The GOP plan could deliver as many as five additional U.S. House seats before the 2026 midterm elections, potentially solidifying Republican control in Washington.
"We are done waiting. We have a quorum. Now is the time for action," Burrows said as he gaveled in the session at noon. He warned that Democrats who fled Texas earlier this month would be monitored closely, noting they "will be granted written permission to leave only after agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated DPS officer."
The Democratic Caucus defended its protest, saying it had achieved its primary goals: preventing passage of the map in the first special session and spurring Democratic-led states to retaliate with their own redistricting. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu said Monday: "We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation - reshaping the entire 2026 landscape."
Wu added, "We're returning to Texas more dangerous to Republicans' plans than when we left. Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court, take our message to communities across the state and country."
The proposed maps have already triggered a wider national clash. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday he would seek voter approval to redraw districts in his state to flip several Republican-held seats. "If the Texas plan moves forward, he will seek voter approval to redraw California districts that could flip several Republican seats," his office announced.
Republican leaders argue their plan is necessary to align with population growth and to strengthen their representation in Congress. Trump has pressed for the Texas legislature to move quickly, believing the changes would help Republicans maintain their slim House majority in the midterms.
Democrats say the maps unfairly dilute minority voting power and violate constitutional protections. The battle is expected to shift quickly to the courts. "Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court," Wu reiterated.
Monday's session underscored how high the stakes have become. Burrows defended the chamber's resilience, saying, "Representatives come and go. Issues rise and fall. But this body has endured wars, economic depressions and quorum breaks dating back to the very first session. It will withstand this too, and what will remain is a chamber where the majority has the right to prevail, and the minority has the right to be heard."
With Republicans holding firm majorities in both chambers, swift passage of the redrawn maps is likely. A House committee hearing on redistricting was scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, setting the stage for a fast-moving showdown with consequences extending far beyond Texas.
