The Republican speaker of the Texas House vowed to move fast to redraw the state’s congressional districts after reaching a quorum following the return of runaway Democrats to the Texas Capitol.
“No one here needs a reminder that the last few weeks have been contentious, but from this point forward, the rules of engagement are clear: debate is welcome, but personal attacks and name-calling will not be tolerated,” Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Republican, told members after announcing enough members were present to proceed.
“We are done waiting; we have a quorum. Now is the time for action. We will move quickly, and the schedule will be demanding until our work is complete,” he said.
The quorum call ended a two-week political saga that began after Democrats left the state, leaving the legislature unable to act.
The House adjourned Monday after about half an hour and will reconvene Wednesday.
Mr. Burrows said the Democrats who left the state and had arrest warrants would be granted “written permission to leave only after agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated [Department of Public Safety] officer appointed under the rules of the House, who will ensure your return on Wednesday at 10 a.m.,” he said. “For those still absent, civil arrest warrants remain in force.”
Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic caucus, signaled late last week that the Democrats were waving the white flag after facing fines and being targeted in various lawsuits.
Mr. Wu said Democrats would return after the initial special session adjourned and after Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Democrats rolled out a retaliatory plan.
Before the session was gavelled in on Monday, Mr. Wu said Democrats had changed the debate.
“We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,” Mr. Wu said in a statement.
Democrats insist the GOP’s efforts to rearrange the state’s congressional lines, which President Trump prodded them to do, will dilute the power of minority voters.
The new GOP maps are expected to help them net at least 5 more U.S. House seats in the midterm elections, improving Republicans’ odds of keeping the majority.
Relegated to the minority in Texas, Democrats lack the legislative tools necessary to prevent Republicans from rewriting the maps.
Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, warned them last week that he would continue to call additional special sessions until they returned.
In addition to the maps, the Texas House is expected to take up legislation related to financial relief for the Texas flood victims and a “bathroom bill” that would require people to use restrooms in government buildings and schools that match their sex at birth.
