**AUSTIN, TEXAS — **A delegation of Texas House Democrats met with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to discuss strategies for effective disaster response and preparations for the severe budget cuts handed down from Republicans in Washington. The productive, in-person meeting came as Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to force a special session focused on a divisive mid-decade redistricting plan demanded by Donald Trump, while the needs of Texans recovering from deadly floods and facing cuts to food and healthcare are ignored.
In the meeting, Governor Lujan Grisham detailed her administration’s persistent fight and victory in securing a full major disaster declaration for the recent deadly Ruidoso floods; the Texas delegation discussed the similar struggles of families in the Hill Country, who are still waiting for a focused state response weeks after floods killed more than 130 people. At the time of their meeting, the Texas Legislature had met in special session to hold six hearings focused on redistricting, and just one focused on flood response.
The leaders agreed that in the face of federal dysfunction, the absolute worst course of action is to reward the chaos with more political allies. *
Left to right: Rep. Christian Manuel, Rep. Josey Garcia, Redistricting Committee Vice Chair Rep. Jon Rosenthal, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Erin Gámez, Speaker pro Tempore Joe Moody, Rep. John Bucy, Rep. Salman Bhojani. Photo attributable to Texas House Democratic Caucus.
The lawmakers emphasized that Governor Abbott's redistricting scheme is not just a threat to Texans, but a direct threat to all Americans. The effort to create five new, safe Republican congressional seats at the expense of Black and Brown voters is a power grab designed to shield the GOP from accountability after their allies in Washington passed billions of dollars in cuts to Texans' healthcare, food assistance, and public health programs.
"Trump stole people’s healthcare, stole the food out of hungry kids’ mouths, and now wants to steal the 2026 elections," said Texas Speaker pro Tempore Joe Moody. "The priority in this special session should be help for disaster victims, not political theft. We came to New Mexico today to put the focus on helping real people, something Texans just aren’t getting from their state's leadership."
The Texas Democratic delegation to New Mexico included:
Speaker pro Tempore Joe Moody
Redistricting Committee Vice Chair Jon Rosenthal
Rep. John Bucy
Rep. Salman Bhojani
Rep. Erin Gámez Rep. Josey Garcia Rep. Christian Manuel