Texas Democrats end walkout as GOP-controlled legislature prepares to vote on redistricting maps that could flip five congressional seats to Republicans

The Capitol grounds were cleared after 7 p.m. as a demonstration against a GOP redistricting plan was about to begin. Texas lawmakers and staff members were allowed to remain inside the Capitol.

The Texas House is set to vote on congressional redistricting Wednesday, setting up a political fight over a plan that could be critical for Republicans to hold on to a majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

Abbott called a second special session after the House again failed to reach a quorum amid a Democratic walkout over a GOP-favored redistricting plan.

Republicans in the Texas House forced returning Democrats to around-the-clock surveillance by state Department of Public Safety officers to leave the floor.

More than 50 Democrats left the state on Aug. 4 in a quorum-breaking move to stop congressional redistricting by stalling official business in the House.

The congressional seat in Texas’ 18th District, a hub of Black political power, has been vacant for months. Redistricting could further disrupt representation for its voters.

This is just my way of resisting,” said Texas state representative Nicole Collier after Republicans ordered Democrats to be monitored by police if they left the statehouse again.