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By Alia Shoaib
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Several Texas Democrats have doubled down on their decision to leave the state to block a vote on redrawing the state's congressional map after state Republicans called for them to be arrested.
Newsweek reached out to the Texas House Democratic Caucus via email on Tuesday, outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Texas Democrats have framed their walkout as a necessary act of resistance against a redistricting plan they say is designed to manipulate the congressional map to boost Republican power.
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State Republicans have responded by demanding their arrest, accusing them of shirking their responsibilities as elected representatives.
The situation has evolved into a state-level legislative standoff.
What To Know
Texas Democrats left the state in an effort to deny Republicans the quorum needed to advance a GOP-led redistricting plan in the legislature, which is also supported by President Donald Trump.
The new map would create five new seats that lean Republican in the House of Representatives.
Republican Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said on Monday that he had signed civil arrest warrants for Democrats who left the state, following a House vote.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott added that he had ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest those who had left and return them to the House chamber, along with making separate threats about the Democrats' possible expulsion from the House.
The Texas House Democratic Caucus released a defiant response to the arrest threats on Monday, telling Abbott: "Come and take it."
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Democratic state Representative Linda Garcia also responded to the civil arrest warrants, telling CNN: "That doesn't bother me at all. My constituents want me to take this quorum break; it is within our legal right."
"We're getting used to their bravado," Democratic state Representative John Bucy told MSNBC about the orders for their arrest.
Bucy said that state Democrats would continue to "shine a light on what Greg Abbott and Donald Trump are trying to do. They can't win the midterm so they're trying to steal them. We can't let them."
Democratic state Representative James Talarico told CNN: "If law enforcement arrests me, I will go peacefully. But I am doing this because I'm fighting for my constituents."
What People Are Saying
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on X: "Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty and are holding flood relief and property tax cuts hostage. I ordered Texas DPS to arrest and return every derelict House Democrat to the Texas Capitol."
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on X: "House Democrats have fled the state in a cowardly desertion of their responsibilities. These jet-setting runaways abandoned Texas and sacrificed their constituents for a publicity stunt. It's imperative that they be swiftly arrested, punished, and face the full force of the law."
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in a statement: "The courage, conviction and character Texas Democrats are displaying is the embodiment of good trouble as we collectively push back against the extremism Donald Trump has unleashed on the American people. We have their backs."
What Happens Next
As long as the Democrats remain out of state, the Texas House cannot move forward with the redistricting vote. The Democrats have said they will stay away for two weeks until the end of the special legislative session.
While civil arrest warrants have been issued, these carry little legal weight outside Texas.
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