Democrats speak out from Illinois on day two of quorum break

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As Texas Democrats began their second full day of breaking quorum to prevent the legislature from approving redrawn congressional maps, a group of House Democrats were joined by national and Illinois Democrats, along with their counterparts in the U.S. House at a media conference Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon's session of the House, 54 Democrats were not present in the chamber, enough to prevent the legislature from reaching the two-thirds quorum needed to take up any items and vote. The proposed congressional maps are drawn to give Republicans up to a five seat gain.

Joining the Texas House Democrats in Chicago were U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Al Green, D-Houston, Mark Veasey and Julie Johnson, D-Dallas, as well as Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D).

Democrats have fled to states like Illinois and New York, which have Democratic governors who welcomed the House Democrats during their quorum break. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also vowed to redraw her state's maps, though said Monday that it would not be possible until at least 2028.

Pritzker and Martin delivered opening remarks in support of the House Democrats during their quorum break, with Martin vowing to fight.

"The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid, and the right side of history will always expect you to be courageous," Pritzker said. "Texas House Democrats are leading the way in choosing courage and country over politics and party."

"This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to the knife fight. This is a new Democratic Party we'll bring in a knife to a knife fight," Martin said. "We will not let Republicans succeed in their efforts to gerrymander the map."

Other bills now stalling

But redistricting is one of 18 items that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) asked the legislature to consider in the special session. Among those items: flood relief and regulation following the deadly Independence Day Floods.

Republicans are now criticizing Democrats, saying that their quorum break is preventing the legislature from considering other priorities, namely the flood bills, but also standardized test reform and THC legislation.

"Today, the Disaster Preparedness Committee is meeting to consider five priority pieces of legislation. Each will address the catastrophic flooding that has devastated homes and entire communities," House Speaker Dustin Burrows said. That's the kind of important work that is being done in the House, and all elected members should be here representing their districts in those conversations."

Democrats have fired back, accusing the GOP of putting redistricting on the floor before any flood-related legislation.

"Over 130 people passed away ... but yet we're trying to round a redistricting map," Gervin-Hawkins said. "If they were serious about truly trying to go the will of the people ... we could do this next year or wait for 10 years to do this."

Could House Democrats be removed from office?

When the House gaveled Monday and a quorum was not present, the House voted to issue a call of the House, an order for lawmakers to return to the chamber or face arrest. Burrows also signed civil arrest warrants for the Democrats who fled the state and ordered Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to track down the missing Democrats. That move is largely symbolic however, as DPS does not have jurisdiction outside of Texas.

Fletcher said that the House Democrats are "courageous" for breaking quorum as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Abbott threaten their arrest and seek to remove them from office.

"Make no mistake they are here despite aggressive threats from our governor, from our Attorney General and from others who are threatening them," Fletcher said. "But let's make one thing clear, they are here to do their jobs, and they are doing their jobs by being here."

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel Tuesday, asking for the Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to be tracked down and arrested.

One reason Paxton and Abbott have argued that the Democrats should be removed from office is that they could be guilty on bribery charges — taking money in exchange for abstaining from a vote.

Some have circulated the idea that Pritzker, a billionaire, could pay the $500 per day fine each lawmaker will accrue as a way to lessen the burden and allow lawmakers to break quorum for an extended period of time. Pritzker denied that he has provided any financial support.

"I have not written a check or supported them financially, though I am not reticent to do that," Pritzker said.

Pritzker directed supporters of the quorum break to donate to the Democrats as a way to pay their fines.

The two days the Democrats have spent out of state is only a short time in what will need to be a long road ahead if they are to successfully stop the redistricting plan. House Democrats say they have packed for three weeks, aiming to return at the conclusion of the special session. But the governor could always call another special session.

To truly defeat the redistricting plan, Democrats would need to break quorum until the filing deadline in December — five months away from their lives, family and other jobs. It remains to be seen if they have the will, or ability, to do so.