Texas Democrats have returned home, ending redistricting standoff

[In It to Win It]

Texas Democrats who left the state to stymie Republicans over redistricting have returned to Austin, ending a two-week standoff over President Donald Trump’s plan to carve out five new GOP congressional seats.

Their return to the state means the Texas House now has the sufficient number of legislators needed to pass a new map benefiting the GOP. Democrats had used the gambit to stall legislative business and bring national attention to Republicans’ decision to pursue off-cycle redistricting ahead of the midterms.

In a statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said that members returned on Monday morning “to launch the next phase in their fight against the racist gerrymander that provoked a weeks-long standoff with Governor [Greg] Abbott and President Trump.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/18/texas-democrats-return-quorum-redistricting-00513351

[CousinIT]

1. MAGAts will get their 5 stolen seats. What's important is how Democrats respond.

And other than Newsom, I am not seeing any response.

[JBTaurus83]

2. Even Newsom's

Response depends on the voters. At least he is trying though.

[CousinIT]

3. He's one of the few Democrats I see actually fighting anything.

It seems their mantra about "not fighting every little thing that happens" or whatever that was is still being followed.

Being timid and "keeping their powder dry" is what got us here.

If this continues much longer, they're done (as are the majority of Americans whether they know it or not).

The only people with any representation at all in the US will be the billionaires.

[Shrek]

9. If I've learned anything since the election of 2000

It's the critical importance of dry powder.

[In It to Win It]

6. Agreed. Trying is everything in this moment.

We just might succeed.

[SCantiGOP]

5. Illinois and NY have said they will follow suit

And there is a chance the Texas plan can backfire if we get a big enough Blue Wave, which I think bad economic news and the betrayal of Ukraine may well produce.

[gab13by13]

4. This is not politics as usual, this is serious shit

Marc Elias said that this isn't like the old days when Republicans sat down and drew maps. Magats are using AI to make it impossible for Democrats to win.

One thing they are doing is taking 2 Democratic Reps and putting them into one district.

Democrats have used the strategy to throw money at the election, GOTV, and if we lose it's the voters fault for not showing up. Then they do an autopsy and come back with the same strategy.

I think I heard there are 1 million more registered Democrats in Texas, but I could be wrong about that?

[PBC_Democrat]

8. Interesting Voter Registration Numbers from Texas

https://independentvoterproject.org/voter-stats/tx

Party Registration Statistics
Total Registered Voters: 17,485,702
Democrats: 8,133,683 (46.52%)
Republicans: 6,601,189 (37.75%)
Unaffiliated: 2,750,830 (15.73%)

All I can figure is that many of the unaffiliated voters are actually R voters.

[LeftInTX]

10. That is based on "modeling" not stats! It's based on people who don't vote!

I believe it's based on 3 million voters who don't vote and if they voted, they could possibly vote Democratic.

Texas does not register by party!

Generally, more Republicans vote in our primaries than Democrats.

[LeftInTX]

7. Roland Martin is not pleased.

&t=1673s&ab_channel=RolandS.Martin

OTOH, I saw some really rude people who want to primary every Democrat who stayed in Austin during the first session. Hello? They broke quorum, those House members staying behind did not contribute to quorum.

The senate didn't break quorum, but there was a walkout (not a quorum break). Two stayed in the room "They're traitors. Primary them".

The problem is: We will lose seats with this attitude!!! Get real people!!

I like Roland's idea of staying out until November. But it wasn't realistic. Too many different personalities with too many different needs etc.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. Statements from State Party Chair and Representative Trey Martinez Fischer

Link to tweet

Statement from one of my favorite members of the Texas House (I testified before TMF back in 2011 on redistricting). My claims ended up in the redistricting lawsuit filed by LULAC. It was sad when the court rejected these claims but I respected the effort)

Link to tweet

[LeftInTX]

12. The House will have quorum when it convenes on Wednesday

Some Democrats are staying out of state and boycotting.

I don't know if the Democrats staying out will continue to accrue fines since their absence will not break quorum?

I don't know if some of the committees have quorum?