AUSTIN, TEXAS — As Governor Greg Abbott’s special session devolves into chaos over his attempt to rig elections for Donald Trump, members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus departed Texas this morning for California and Illinois. Their mission: to meet with Governors and state leaders who haven’t abandoned their constituents to see how they’re confronting the multibillion-dollar cuts to programs their citizens rely on under Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The move signals a new phase in the fight against the Governor's agenda, as Democrats continue to refuse to legitimize a special session they say is full of “partisan distractions” when it should be focused exclusively on flooding and disaster relief.
“Since Governor Abbott is acting like a child, we are going to find adults to go talk to,” said Rep. Gene Wu, Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, who is leading the trip to meet with Gov. Pritzker in Illinois. “We’re headed out to states already dealing with the fallout from the billions of dollars that Trump's allies have crammed down our throats. We need a real plan from the Governor to protect Texas families from the damage Trump and his allies have caused and continues to cause. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent — we know this extremist agenda is not what you voted for.”
“There are dozens of dead kids and people are still missing from the Central Texas floods. But Donald Trump is focused on manipulating elections to help himself,” said Rep. Rafael Anchía, who is leading the delegation to meet with Gov. Newsom in California.
The trip out of state, from which House Democrats will return the same day, comes just one day after Texas House Republicans held a sham redistricting hearing in which no maps were presented and testimony was cut short. For three weeks, since the tragic flooding and preventable tragedy in the Hill Country that killed over 130 Texans, Governor Abbott has held emergency relief hostage to his number one priority: a racially-motivated scheme to steal five Congressional seats for Donald Trump. In response to the shortened hearing, Texas House Democrats moved down the hallway to hold their own hearing, allowing more Texans who took time out of their day to come to the Capitol in Austin to have their say in the process.
While Republican leaders focus on redrawing districts, Democrats are focused on real needs: meeting with experts, studying proven policies, and planning to restore and protect the services Texas families depend on.
“Texas is a vital part of America’s future. What is going on with this mid-decade redistricting is not just about Texas — it’s about the future of the entire country,” said Rep. Richard Raymond. We intend to let Gov. Pritzker know this is a national battle, and we have high hopes he’ll engage in it.”
15 Texas Democratic House members will participate in the delegation meetings:
In California:
Rep. Rafael Anchía Rep. Nicole Collier Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Rep. Jessica González, Chair of the Texas LGBT Caucus Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, Chair of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus Rep. Ramón Romero, Chair of the Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus Rep. Chris Turner
In Illinois:
Rep. Linda Garcia Rep. Donna Howard, Chair of the Texas Women’s Health Caucus Rep. Ana Hernandez Rep. Christina Morales Rep. Richard Raymond Rep. Toni Rose Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, Chair of the Texas Labor and Workforce Caucus Rep. Gene Wu, Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus (Minority Leader)