Texas Democrats Flee State as GOP Pushes New Congressional Map

Texas Democratic lawmakers have fled to Chicago to block a vote on a new congressional map supported by President Donald Trump, arguing the proposed districts blatantly favour Republicans.

Under Texas law, two-thirds of the 150-member House must be present to proceed; with 51 Democrats absent, Republicans lack the 100-member quorum to hold the vote.

The lawmakers plan to remain away until the special legislative session, called by Governor Greg Abbott, ends in two weeks. If absent each day, they face fines of $500, and Attorney General Ken Paxton has threatened to arrest recalcitrant legislators.

Democratic caucus chair Gene Wu defended the action: “We’re not abandoning our duties; we’re standing up to a rigged system that ignores the voices of our constituents.”

The redrawn map would likely secure up to five additional seats for Republicans, altering districts in the Rio Grande Valley, merging two Austin districts, extending a Dallas-area seat into rural Republican regions, and reshaping four Houston-area seats.

Democratic lawmakers have used an unprecedented quorum-breaking walkout to stall a redistricting plan they say would entrench Republican power in Texas congressional representation.

This topic was reported by BBC News.

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