'House Democrats are standing up': Texas lawmaker defends leaving state to block GOP

Political Landscape & Redistricting - Texas Governor threatens to remove Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block redistricting efforts [1] - More than 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas, preventing the House from having enough members to pass legislation [1] - The lawmakers plan to stay out of Texas until August 19th, the end of the special session [2] - Redistricting was added to the agenda at the urging of President Trump, who believes the state could add as many as five Republican seats in the next midterms [2] - Texas House rules could impose a $500 per day fine and arrest for lawmakers leaving the state [2] Legal & Constitutional Issues - Abbott cites a non-binding 2021 legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, stating a court would decide if a lawmaker forfeits their office by leaving the state to deny quorum [3] - Breaking quorum is protected by the Texas constitution as a tool for the minority party when the majority is corrupting the system [6] - The Texas Constitution mandates redrawing lines every 10 years [13] - Democrats argue that redrawing lines mid-decade is not constitutional or normal [16] Democratic Response & Strategy - Texas Democrats are standing up to protect the voice of everyday Texans and voters [5] - Democrats are breaking quorum because they believe the majority is corrupting the system against the interest of the people [6] - Democrats are united in breaking the quorum to fight the redistricting bill [10] - Democrats are considering fighting fire with fire and finding more Democratic seats in their own blue states [13]