Texas Gov. Abbott decries 'runaway Democrats' as redistricting standoff enters its second week

Source: CNN Politics

Updated Aug 11, 2025, 5:57 PM ET
PUBLISHED Aug 11, 2025, 8:00 AM ET


Democratic lawmakers in Texas once again thwarted the Republican redistricting effort in the state when the Texas House of Representatives failed to meet a quorum on Monday.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows reconvened the legislative chamber on Monday but was four members short of reaching the quorum to proceed to redistricting, flood relief and other issues. Dozens of Texas House Democrats remain out of the state as the standoff over redistricting enters its second week.

“Those runaway Democrats are required to act on that agenda. They’re failing to do their duty,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” on Monday. “They can remain in hiding for literally years, tying the hands of the state of Texas from performing essential government needs. That cannot be allowed.”

The state House failed to reach a quorum each time it met last week, escalating a burgeoning gerrymandering arms race that began when President Donald Trump pushed Texas Republicans to redraw districts. The effort, which would produce as many as five more US House seats for Republicans, could cushion the GOP against losses in the 2026 midterm elections.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/texas-redistricting-standoff-continues