Democrat who fled Texas over redistricting says "we're willing to face whatever consequences"

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: August 4, 2025 / 8:19 PM EDT


Three Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to block an effort to redraw the state's congressional maps to favor Republicans told CBS News on Monday they're prepared to stay out of the state for at least the next two weeks — as GOP leaders threaten consequences.

Dozens of Texas House Democrats headed to Illinois and other blue states over the weekend, denying the chamber's GOP leaders a quorum on Monday. The move has at least temporarily derailed a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott to reshape the state's U.S. House district maps — after President Trump publicly encouraged Texas Republicans to create five more GOP-leaning House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

One of the Democrats who left Texas for Illinois, state Rep. John Bucy III, told CBS News that lawmakers plan on staying out of the state until the end of the legislative session. Special sessions can last up to 30 days, and just over two weeks are left in the current session.

But if the clock runs out without a vote on the new House maps, Abbott has the power to immediately call another legislative session, state Rep. Ann Johnson acknowledged. If that happens, Democrats will "assess our options," state Rep. James Talarico said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrat-who-fled-texas-over-redistricting-says-were-willing-to-face-whatever-consequences/

[orangecrush]

1. BRAVO

[bluestarone]

2. Perfect! WE as Americans need to be ready to support these true Americans in

EVERY WAY possible!!

[ananda]

3. Thank you for your courage and willingness to fight!

All Dems need to beome serious fighters!

[evemac]

4. Time to give Texas some credit now

There's an awful lot of Texas bashing sometimes, so remember there are many who are fighting the good fight and other Texans who support them!

[mdbl]

5. Just not enough of them

Sorry but I can't give a pass to the majority of morons to declare Texas a great place. I will credit some Texans though.

[evemac]

8. Texas is a great place and creates great people

I am a 4th generation Texan. I went to Texas A & M and then went to law school. I passed the bar the first time.
My husband is also a Texan. He went to the University of Texas and then double-majored at Stanford in business and engineering. My parents both have degrees from public Texas colleges.
We are from here and have many friends and family members who are progressives and Democrats.
I am really tired of hearing that everyone here are "morons." It's pretty offensive. I guarantee that where you are from, you equally have morons. We just have more humans who live here; the only other state more populous than Texas is California.
Please check how many people voted for Kamala verses your state. 4.8 million Texans voted for Kamala.

[mdbl]

9. Believe me, my state is the same way.

I will include any state which keeps putting Repugs in control of their houses. Better?

[hamsterjill]

6. Thank you for this!

Welcome to DU!

[Cha]

7. Mahalo,, Texas Dems! TY!