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By Jenna Sundel and Gabe Whisnant
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the ongoing refusal by Texas House Democrats who broke quorum and left the state to block a vote on redrawing the state's congressional map amounts to abandonment of office. The Republican said he will seek a court ruling to have their seats declared vacant if they don't return by the end of the week.
Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows has given the absent lawmakers until Friday to return to Texas and appear before the House. The Texas House also passed a motion to issue arrest warrants for Democrats who fled the state.
Lawmakers outside of Texas' borders are beyond the jurisdiction of state authorities.
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Those who fail to return by the deadline—and are not arrested and brought back beforehand—will face "aggressive" legal action from Paxton, according to a news release from the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Paxton wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "BREAKING: I will seek judicial orders declaring that runaway Democrats who fail to appear by the Speaker's deadline have vacated their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don't show up to work, you get fired."
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Why It Matters
Texas is among several states planning to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Other states that could initiate redistricting include Ohio, New York and California, Newsweek previously reported.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives, with 219 seats compared to the Democrats' 212. There are currently four vacancies.
Texas House Republicans' Redistricting Fight: What To Know
Texas Republican state lawmakers unveiled the first draft of a new congressional map last week. Under the new map, the Lone Star State's four Democratic-leaning major metropolitan areas would be divided among at least four congressional districts apiece.
Nearly all of the redrawn districts would have a Republican majority, according to the Associated Press.
Republicans hold 25 of the state's 38 seats in the House, and the new map could raise the total seats won in the 2026 midterms to 30 if passed.
"We are entitled to five more seats," President Donald Trump said Tuesday in a CNBC interview.
On Sunday, Texas House Democrats announced they will breaking quorum to prevent a vote on the new map.
In the Texas House of Representatives, two-thirds of its 150 members must be present to reach a quorum. Without a quorum, "no business shall be transacted, except to compel the attendance of absent members or to adjourn," according to the Texas House Rules of Procedure.
Which Texas Democrats Broke Quorum?
During Tuesday's session of the Texas House, 54 Democrats broke quorum, KXAN reported, two fewer than on Monday.
The following representatives were not present on Tuesday, according to the outlet:
- Alma Allen
- Rafael Anchia
- Diego Bernal
- Salman Bhojani
- Rhetta Bowers
- John Bryant
- John Bucy
- Elizabeth Campos
- Sheryl Cole
- Nicole Collier
- Aicha Davis
- Yvonne Davis
- Harold Dutton
- Trey Martinez Fischer
- Lulu Flores
- Erin Gamez
- Linda Garcia
- Josey Garcia
- Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
- Mary Gonzalez
- Jessica González
- Vikki Goodwin
- Bobby Guerra
- Cassandra Garcia Hernandez
- Ana Hernandez
- Gina Hinojosa
- Donna Howard
- Ann Johnson
- Charlene Ward Johnson
- Venton Jones
- Jalonda Jones
- Suleman Lalani
- Ray López
- Christian Manuel
- Terry Meza
- Christina Morales
- Penny Morales-Shaw
- Claudia Ordaz
- Mary Ann Perez
- Vincent Perez
- Mihaela Plesa
- Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos
- Ron Reynolds
- Ramon Romero Jr.
- Toni Rose
- Jon Rosenthal
- Lauren Ashley Simmons
- James Talarico
- Senfronia Thompson
- Chris Turner
- Hubert Vo
- Armando Walle
- Gene Wu
- Erin Zwiener
Representatives Philip Cortez and Eddie Morales were not present on Monday, but returned to the House on Tuesday.
What Is Gerrymandering?
The term "gerrymandering" dates to 1812, when then-Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill redrawing state Senate districts to benefit the Democratic-Republican Party. A newspaper illustration called one district "The Gerry-mander," due to its resemblance to a salamander.
The term later evolved to describe any district drawn for political advantage.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Texas State Representative Ramon Romero Jr., at a news conference: "Right now, there's folks saying that we walked out. I think everyone behind me will say we're standing up, and as Texans would say, we're standing tall. There's others that are saying and warning us that they're going to arrest us or make us pay fines. I'll pay that price for America."
Paxton, in a statement: "Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials."
What Happens Next
The Democrats who were not present on Tuesday were given until Friday to appear before the House before facing legal action.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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