The Texas Senate voted 19-2 on Tuesday to approve new congressional boundaries in an unusual mid-decade redistricting effort. Nine Democrats walked out in protest before the vote, but the move did not break quorum—unlike in the Texas House, where dozens of Democrats have left for Illinois and other states, stalling business for a second week.
The map, identical to the initial House draft, now heads back to the lower chamber, where its progress has stalled due to the ongoing absence of Democrats. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows warned they would adjourn the session if quorum is not met by Friday, and Gov. Greg Abbott pledged to immediately call a second special session with the same agenda.
Patrick said the Senate “will continue passing this map each legislative session… until House Democrats return from their ‘vacation.’”
Sen. Phil King, leading the Senate’s redistricting effort, dismissed Democratic claims of unconstitutionality, saying no evidence had been presented to show the map violated the law. Democratic leaders in California and New York have vowed to respond with their own partisan redistricting if Texas’ plan becomes law.
