Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Texas House Democrats, who have been out of state for nearly two weeks in protest of the Republican-led redistricting effort, say they are prepared to return to Austin under specific conditions. According to The Texas Tribune, caucus members stated they would consider returning “if and only if” the current special legislative session officially ends, and California introduces its redistricting plan.
The current special session began on July 21 and is scheduled to run through August 19 under Texas law. However, legislative leaders have indicated they could adjourn as early as August 15 if Democrats do not return to establish a quorum. Governor Greg Abbott has said he will call another special session “immediately” after the current one ends, with the same agenda and potentially additional items, The Texas Tribune reported.
House Democratic Caucus leaders say their timing is strategic. As reported by The Texas Tribune, lawyers have advised that returning at the right moment could help “build a strong public legislative record for upcoming legal challenges.”
The Associated Press noted that Democrats have tied their return to developments outside Texas as well. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a mid-decade redistricting plan, fulfilling another condition Democrats had set. Fox 4 News reported that Democrats “want session adjournment and California’s redistricting plan in place before returning.”
According to ABC News, a source close to the caucus said that members “feel like they accomplished their mission” of stopping the first special session and are “loosely planning to return this weekend.” However, they stressed that the timing could change depending on Republican actions. The Guardian also reported that Democrats believe returning only once California’s plan is underway will “strengthen their legal and public position.”
Legal factors are also shaping the standoff. As reported by WTTW News in Illinois, a state judge rejected Texas officials’ request to issue civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers, highlighting the legal limits of compelling their return from out of state.
With the first special session expected to conclude soon, both sides are preparing for a continuation of the fight. Abbott has said he will keep calling special sessions “until the job is done,” while Democrats are timing their return to maximize political and legal leverage.
