Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued arrest warrants for more than 50 Democratic lawmakers who left the state in an effort to block a controversial redistricting vote intended to strengthen Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The lawmakers departed Texas ahead of a scheduled vote to redraw congressional districts, a move that would likely give Republicans five additional seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The absence of the Democratic legislators deprived the Republican-led state House of the quorum required to proceed.
“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans. There are consequences for dereliction of duty,” said Abbott on Monday. Speaker Dustin Burrows signed civil arrest warrants for the absent Democrats, though these warrants are only enforceable within Texas.
Background: A High-Stakes Political Standoff
The redistricting effort, backed by former President Donald Trump, is part of a broader Republican strategy to solidify their slim 219-212 majority in the U.S. House. Trump has encouraged state-level redistricting to expand Republican influence in Congress, stating that Texas could deliver at least five new GOP seats through a “simple redrawing.”
The Texas House has 150 members, but at least 100 must be present to conduct business. By fleeing the state, at least 51 of the 62-member Democratic caucus effectively shut down the legislative process.
Democrats Respond
The Democratic lawmakers framed their move as a moral stand against what they view as a racially biased and undemocratic redistricting plan.
“This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity,” said caucus chair Gene Wu, accusing Governor Abbott of caving to Trump’s demands and using “an intentionally racist map to steal the voices of millions of Black and Latino Texans.”
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) voiced strong support for the lawmakers’ action. DNC Chair Ken Martin stated, “For too long, Donald Trump and Republicans have tried to get away with rigging the system… It’s time to fight back.”
Legal and Political Fallout
Under Texas law, the Democrats could face fines of $500 per day for each day they remain absent and break quorum. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote on social media that the legislators should be “found, arrested and brought back to the Capitol immediately.”
Governor Abbott had called the special legislative session to push through the redistricting legislation and address flooding in Texas that killed over 130 people last month. The newly proposed congressional map would give Republicans a projected 30 out of 38 seats in the U.S. House.
As the political standoff continues, Texas remains at the forefront of a national debate over voting rights, representation, and partisan power grabs ahead of the critical 2026 midterms.