If redrawn political maps are adopted, House Democrats vow to continue the fight.
AUSTIN, Texas — The redistricting debate in Texas continues with a second special session set to continue Monday, which could finally have a quorum in the state House of Representatives.
This comes after house Democrats have been in other states for two weeks
Representative Ron Reynolds of Missouri City said he plans on returning but was undecided on when that will happen. On Friday, State Rep. Ann Johnson released a statement on her return, saying, “I’m returning to Texas to continue the fight — from the floor, of the House.”
State Rep. Reynolds paid a brief visit to an event for Rep. Al Green over the weekend. Green could lose his district in the new maps.
The Senate committee did pass the maps in a 6 to 3 vote despite heavy opposition, with more than 40 people testifying against the new maps, saying they would dilute the power of communities of color.
Rep. Reynolds and many other Democrats admit the bill will likely pass.
“We know that we don’t have the votes to stop what we’re calling the racial gerrymandering, but we’re gonna push,” he said. “We’re gonna fight. We’re going to make the record for the courts, for our lawyers to be able to take the case to the courts. That’s the next stage in this fight. It’s going to be our lawyers arguing that it’s unconstitutional and in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Section 2.”
State Senator Phil King, who drew the maps, was adamant that race wasn’t a factor, saying he drew them based on what would perform better for Republican candidates, adding he did that because he believes that the policies that a Republican Congress supports and passes are the best policies for the state of Texas.
So, with lawmakers at odds and constituents chiming in, this conversation is obviously going to continue over in Austin and really across the country. We will be keeping a close eye on the state Capitol to see if quorum is met. The Texas House needs 100 members to make a quorum.
Rep. Reynolds says their long-term solution is to propose an independent redistricting committee to avoid partisan politics, but it would take legislative action to get that commission created.
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