Texas House Democrats announced on Tuesday that they will end their week-long boycott of the Republican-controlled State House. Their walkout was meant to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan that would eliminate five Democrat-held congressional seats. Under Texas law, a two-thirds quorum is required for legislative action, allowing Democrats to block the vote by leaving the state.
Gene Wu, leader of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, admitted that their ability to sustain the blockade was fading. A court ruling barred external groups, including one led by Beto O’Rourke, from funding their absence. Wu cited financial difficulties, threats, and logistical pressure as reasons the group could not hold out indefinitely, though he emphasized their hope to inspire broader resistance.
Reports from ABC 13 Houston confirmed that Democrats would return to Texas, claiming they had succeeded in delaying the first special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott. That session is set to end next Tuesday. Their return may allow legislative proceedings to resume, although it remains unclear how many lawmakers will come back.
While some Democratic senators also avoided Tuesday’s vote on the redistricting measure, the GOP holds sufficient power in the Senate to move forward. In the House, only a small number of Democrats are needed to establish a quorum due to Republican dominance, making the Democratic holdout increasingly difficult to sustain.
Republican leaders, including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows, expressed intentions to end the session by Friday if a quorum is reached. Governor Abbott has also prepared to immediately call a second special session to pursue unresolved legislative priorities.
This walkout tactic has been used before by Texas Democrats, notably in 2003 and 2021. In 2021, after three special sessions were called, Republicans succeeded in passing controversial election integrity legislation despite Democratic efforts to block it.
