Moments ago, news broke that 51 Democratic Members of the Texas State House flew to Chicago and New York City to prevent the State House from establishing a quorum. By breaking quorum, Democrats have prevented a floor vote on House Bill 4, the new congressional map being pushed by Texas Republicans at the behest of President Trump. 

Following is a statement from Common Cause Texas Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez: 

“Our democracy is literally hanging in the balance and Texas Democrats did the one thing they could to protect it. 

To get this bill to the House floor in the first place, Republicans completely subverted our democratic process and cruelly ignored the hundreds of Texans who traveled from across the state to show up to hearings and voice their opposition to this cynical attempt to predetermine the outcome of our next election. 

From putting redistricting on a 30-day special session agenda instead of even bringing it up during our regular session to scheduling hearings in a way that made it as difficult as possible for Texans to participate, this entire process was a sham from the jump.

With this special session effectively over, it is time for Governor Abbott to stop trying to placate Donald Trump and do some actual work for the Texans impacted by floods who are still awaiting relief."

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