After having fled the state over redistricting legislation, Democratic lawmakers had to agree to have security escorts to leave the chamber. Now, a number are refusing.
A group of Texas Democrats are returning to the state House in Austin where they will spend the night — the latest step in a broader protest over Republican plans to redraw congressional districts in the state.
The state House Democratic caucus said in a news release that eight of its members will return to the floor Tuesday evening, “publicly tearing up the permission slips required by Republicans for members to leave the chamber.”
The Democrats will join state Rep. Nicole Collier, their colleague who has remained locked in the state House chamber since Monday afternoon after she refused the condition of a security escort to leave the chamber.
Republicans and dems do this all the time in different states, it’s always performative. Both sides always threaten to arrest the other. This time, the Texas Republicans successfully got the warrants approved as of last Friday, so big surprise the dems are back.
Now instead of leaving, they’re having a sleepover to ensure they’ll be there fresh and ready for the vote.