Texas Dems throw in the towel and grant Repubs redistricting victory by returning home

[LonePirate]

https://abc13.com/post/texas-house-democrats-return-home-second-special-session-abc13-sources-confirm/17515302/

And people are dumbfounded as to why rank and file Democrats have such a negative opinion of elected Dems when they refuse to put forth the effort to fight Republicans and let them have their way every single time.

No wonder this country is speeding towards its destruction when one party refuses to restrain the other.

[RoseTrellis]

1. I can't even post what I'm thinking right now

Wtf

[Trueblue1968]

50. California, New York and all blue states will redistict and blue states can bring on 50 new dems !!

Well this is my fantasy and I am sticking to it. Girl has to think of something to make her happy.

[cadoman]

86. this was the right strategy all along

The Illinois trip was a nice emotional high but logically it made no sense. They weren't going to be able to suspend the legislature in perpetuity. The court and AG were stacked against them.

What they did was courageous and brought attention to the issue though. Now it is up to blue states to gerrymander these equivalent or greater seats back to us.

[Jack Valentino]

124. We should make a special effort to DEFEAT the GOP in the "new 5 seats" districts!

By all reports I've read, these new districts they expect to win are packed with hispanics with whom Trump did better than expected in 2024, while the Republicans ignored the fact that polling among that group has turned completely against Trump in the meantime!

I think Democrats can win those districts regardless of the new lines,
and perhaps some other Republican districts which have been weakened by the redistricting!

If we can get Texas voters to turn out in a bigger way, the results may be surprising
(especially to Republicans!)

[Deuxcents]

2. I'm not so sure I feel the same as your post. These Texas Dems have sacrificed their day jobs

Separation from their families and can’t get support because of the deviousness of their governor. They took a stand and now it’s up to the voters to decide if they want equal representation or not

[Cha]

3. TY.. I agree... I applaud the Texas Dems.

Last edited Tue Aug 12, 2025, 05:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Not going to start Dragging on them now..

[stopdiggin]

11. +1. this negative s___ isn't helping at all.

And is rapidly getting very old !

[Cha]

15. Oh Tell me About! It's self Defeating... Our

Dems Fighting for us Deserve Much Better!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

18. Every. Single. Day.

[markodochartaigh]

28. Unfortunately,

the busiest gun store in the US is the one selling guns to the Democratic circular firing squad.

[LonePirate]

6. They can take solace in the fact that they have plenty of company in history.

Countless people have stood by and yielded power or did little to stop the advance of conquering tyrants. Why should these elected officials be any different?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

21. That is a horrible thing to say

about Democrats, especially on a site supporting Democrats.

[LonePirate]

26. What I said was truthful. You may think it's horrible but the truth is often discomforting to people.

[TnDem]

45. What can they do?

Stay gone forever?

It was always a stalling technique to begin with. It was a losing battle, but they proved a point.

[Arazi]

73. The session ended August 17th. They only needed 5 more days

They’re quitters and cowards.

David Hogg is right about primarying anyone who won’t fight

[TnDem]

74. Abbott would have called another session...

and another and another and another...I heard a clip of an interview a few days ago where I heard him threaten it.

If you don't have the votes, you can't win the fight....Simple math.

[Arazi]

76. They caved. Pure and simple. We need fighters, not this

[TnDem]

79. How could they win?

I'm all ears...

[cadoman]

89. apparently for some folks, stamping ones feet and throwing a fit is some form of victory

There will simply be no pleasing them. Meanwhile, blue states will perform their own gerrymanders, and gain these seats and more back for us.

When they go low, we kick them in the face.

[TnDem]

92. Probably a wash with CA and TX

Texas can probably squeeze two-three more seats out of this gerrymander debacle...California can get four if everything works out perfectly.

To use and old phrase i heard when i was much when I was younger...The Texas Democrats were like a one legged man at an ass kicking contest.

They just didn't have the votes...if they HAD the votes, rest assured they would have stopped it.

[Bluetus]

91. Right. And that would make the Republicans share some of the pain.

When we don't make them pay ANY price, we can't be surprised (or indignant) when they keep rolling us.

[TnDem]

95. What pain for the Republicans?

They had the full house and we had two pair. They were always going to win this...I am going to go slow here.

WE.DIDN'T.HAVE.THE.VOTES.

[Bluetus]

108. As long as the story remained in te news, we were winning.

You seem to understand that we are the minority party. That's great, but you don't seem to understand that as the out-of-power opposition, we need to use special weapons and tactics -- guerilla warfare.

If we followed your "We can't do anything because we don't have the votes" advice, we might as well just go away for 2 years.

"Winning by losing" can be a real thing. "Winning by capitulating" is not a thing, ever.

[TnDem]

111. I agree, but

Whenever they eventually came back, (which they eventually have to), then they would be "capitulating", correct? At which point would they not be "capitulating"?

The only way winning would ever seem that way to you, would be if they never came back..

[Bluetus]

122. There are several possible outcomes. All are better than early capitulation.

1) Abbott would have to call several more special sessions. This would keep the battle alive in the media, and would provide continued justification for blue states to ramp up their own gerrymandering changes.

2) That would have created some disenchantment within the Texas GOP because the legislature is truly a part-time job. They were supposed to be home by now and not have to come back in 2026. So, as pleasant as Austin might be, it ain't home, and many of these legislators have farms and businesses to run.

3) Considering all of the above, Abbott might have bee pressed into some kind of compromise where they gerrymander a little but not as much as threatened. We will never know because the capitulation happened before any of these wheels could get into motion.

[TomSlick]

102. I think I misunderstand your point.

You surely didn't mean to use disparaging terms for Democratic leaders - right?

[Oopsie Daisy]

59. No it wasn't. It's unrealistic fantasy.

It serves no good purpose to continually shit on Democrats. Please stop.

[ananda]

114. With few exceptions,white people, including Dems, are groomed to be "nice,"

and to respect the offices and institutions of power.

We do allow ourselves to speak out against and take
action against abuses of power, losses of freedom,
and losses of voting rights... but only to a degree.

True 20 years ago when Texas Dems tried to stop
Tom Delay's redistricting, true now, and true when
Howard Dean was destroyed by the press for being
a bit wild and woolly once.

Our exceptions now include Bernie and the young
progressives, but how far can they go and achieve
when the majority of Dems in power hold them back,
along with the media.

[Skittles]

128. white people are goormed to be nice? Huh?

a better way to look at it is - repukes are treated like white men, while Dems are treated like women / POC - when Dems display anger or aggression it is often held against them.......for repukes, anger their default state

[ananda]

140. Yes, Republicans play dirty, corrupt and mean.

And Democrsts play nice and only fight
up to a certain point.

It's led us straight to this.

Notice that the psychopathic meanness wins
out every time because it's led by white
people and the long, historically entrenced
attitudes of colonialism also allow us to
think we can play the same game with
leaders and people inother countries.

Of course, ultimately, all it leads to is
chaos, confusion, and utter destruction for
everyone, no exceptiona.

[homegirl]

101. What I learned yesterday..

the single star in the Texas flag is a review...

[onenote]

63. And what have you done to stop the advance of conquering tyrants? What sacrifices have you made?

Or are you just one of the "countless people" you are criticizing?

[Ars Longa]

32. They are HEROS in my book!

They went the extra mile for Democracy

It is up to US now!!!

[NH Ethylene]

70. They also made sure this travesty was fully publicized,

and did not slink through in the dark of night (so to speak).

Making sure the public had full knowledge of what was happening and why is really the only victory they could hope to get from this. Now it's up to other states to decide if they will counteract this by following suit.

They did good.

[fujiyamasan]

103. I'm not sure I fault them much either

[lostincalifornia]

150. More than that, they have called attention to the situation, and have motivated other BLUE states to do their

own redistricting remapping to counter what Texas is doing. Now it is up to the other states.

However, it is even more than that. As in 2016, 2024 the stakes were very clear, and yet too many self-identified progressives didn't turn out to vote for the Democratic nominee.

There will be a price to pay for that idiocy along with everybody else, that will last long after the sociopath in the WH is gone.

It is too bad that some seem very anxious for any excuse to bash Democrats, but very little is said about those who refused to vote for VP Harris by either voting third party or not voting in 2024, yet alone what happened in 2016 when a similar thing was done, and we lost the Supreme Court with that fiasco.

[calimary]

4. Aw fuck.

And here I thought we’d found a group of Dems who’d not only found their own backbones but reinforced them.

How do they ever expect voters to view them positively now? Just another stunt, now completely meaningless.

[ITAL]

9. I mean

It's not that tough to figure out a way to hole up somewhere new for a few weeks. They'd likely have to be gone for six or seven months to kill redistricting.

[PhilosopherKing]

34. Yes

Small price to save democracy.

[ITAL]

40. I mean that's easy for us to say

Unlike the national government, a lot of the state reps actually have day jobs given the Texas legislature is a part time job that meets for a few months every two years. So if you have a job that you can't take a long sabbatical from, what do you do? What about any kids you might have...do you put them in an out of state school? Does Pritzker and company pay your room and board and food for months on end?

[spooky3]

82. A TX representative said they get $7500 a year to serve. Nearly

all have other jobs.

[ITAL]

109. Exactly

The only ones who don't are wealthy.

[Chasstev365]

5. Fine!

But if the Blue States don't do extreme gerrymandering to counter this, I am out. Democrats need to realize there are no rules anymore!

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Shit.

[stopdiggin]

8. you thought they were going to WIN this tussle .. ?

What an .... interesting .... perspective.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[lame54]

14. Remember the Alamo...

This will not be

[stopdiggin]

52. I'm not sure of your meaning .. ? You wanted bloodshed .. ? -(nt)-

[dweller]

10. Different headline

Texas Democrats to return after governor ends special session that included redistricting move

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/texas-democrats-return-after-governor-ends-special-session/story?id=124592449

🤔


✌🏻

[LonePirate]

13. As that article says, Abbott will call a new special session to replace the old one.

Coming home is waving the white flag.

[walkingman]

30. No it's not. The reality is their entire goal was to make the entire nation aware

of what Texas was doing in order to game the system. There is absolutely no way they could have stopped this. That is reality.

It's fine to be disappointed but they deserve kudos for their efforts and the only thing that can possibly change Texas is the voters of Texas. I live in Texas and it is like living in a state that is controlled by religious fundamentalists and backwoods rednecks. It gets worse every year. This is who Texas is and not only Texas but almost all of the bible belt and midwest.

If you look at a map of the US it is beet-red with blue dots because most major cities are diverse and therefore controlled by Democrats.

The only way we can win is by unifying the Democratic Party and understand that no candidate is perfect but you have to win in order to govern.

[LonePirate]

36. Yes, they absolutely could have stopped this.

They merely needed to stay away until the filing deadline passes in mid-December. If they could leg it out another 6 weeks or so until early voting had started, even better.

[walkingman]

42. Not saying you are wrong but this is what I have read/heard.....

Because Republicans control all levers of government in the state. Gov. Greg Abbott can just keep calling 30-day special sessions of the state legislature until Republicans get what they want. And, if Democrats try to stay out of the state until the 2026 filing deadline this fall, Republicans could just move the filing deadline back.

[LonePirate]

44. At some point in 2026, TX Repubs could no longer extend the filing deadline. How late could they go? October?

Those Dems would be hailed as heroes if they had enough fortitude to hold out that long. Now that they are returning, many of them will likely lose primaries if they decide to run for re-election.

[walkingman]

51. I guess it is possible and easy to say as a "armchair quarterback" but because

State Reps all have full time jobs and families so it just doesn't seem feasible. As far as not getting re-elected....I think that would be the worst thing that could happen. As I said, the only way that Texas will ever change, if it ever does, is not to punish politicians for their efforts but to rally behind them for doing this.

As this mess, and it is a mess, goes around the nation with other RED and Blue states doing likewise in order to counter Abbott's efforts at the request of Trump will only lead to more and more political discourse. I fear people will be so exhausted by 2028 that many will just say "Fuck it" and that is the opening that these facists are hoping for.

I know we cannot change the past but by the Dems allowing Trump to be re-elected in '24 it could possibly be a very costly mistake. I know so far, in just the last 6 months, our nation has changed and continues to change beyond anything I have ever seen or even imagined.

I do understand your frustration because I feel the same and I wish their was a magic wand to fix it. ☮

[onenote]

65. Wanna bet on that?

Sounds like you hope they lose their primaries. Or lose in the general.

[LonePirate]

84. I can't speak for who you know; but the Dems I know are tired of performative stunts that produce no results.

Maybe their constituents are far more forgiving and don't mind voting for politicians who dismiss their concerns after a week or two.

If they were going to fold so quickly, they should have never left the state and just voted No.

[Prairie Gates]

12. Abbott said he'd dissolve the session and call a new one, and again and again

They can't stay in Chicago hotels forever.

Republicans have control and will do what they want. Figure out a way to win elections or deal with it.

[LonePirate]

17. Dems win by staying away until after the filing deadline passes in mid-December.

Being away for mostly five months is awful but it’s a small price and a small amount of time in order to save a country.

[hamsterjill]

37. This Texan agrees with you.

EDITED TO ADD THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM FOR REFERENCE.

Look, I knew where this was going to end. I even have an OP where I state that.

But in my opinion, they should stand their ground, or they shouldn't have started this to begin with. This makes them look wimpy and Republicans will use that on the next campaign trail.

This is not negativity. It is fact. I refuse to sugar coat the way things are.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/they-roll-right-over-many-democratic-voters-call-their-party-weak-and-ineffective-poll-finds/ar-AA1JPjLM

[PhilosopherKing]

38. Agreed

They should have held out indefinitely.

[onenote]

66. What price have you paid to save the country? What sacrifices have you made?

[writerJT]

123. LOL

You hold everyday citizens to the same standards as elected officials?

Why don’t you start by telling us what opportunity an everyday citizen has that these elected officials had?

These are actually rhetorical questions. You’re obviously arguing from a purely emotional “hooray for my team!” standpoint.

[onenote]

125. Maybe not the "same" standard, but being an armchair quarterback with no skin in the game doesn't impress me one bit.

[MagickMuffin]

167. That small price to pay amounts to over $60,000

For your unrealistic expectations.

60,000 grand is a lot of money, plus the income they would lose from their external jobs.

Your expectations are exceedingly a high bar to set.

I stand with my fellow Texas Democrats and will not diss them. I applaud them.

[appmanga]

115. I continue to say...

...if you don't bring economic pain, until you can bring electoral pain, there's no way to check these folks. Democrats should boycott Texas based businesses, one of which, American Airlines, is a business that's very margin sensitive. You don't think that company won't try to influence Abbott and the Republicans if they're losing millions each day?

What about talking about encouraging black and brown talented athletes to consider not going to colleges in Texas. They don't have to make a public stand, they just have to take their talents to a state that respects people like them.

The legislators who left Texas eventually had to come back. Their absence afforded those who don't like what Texas is doing to come up with plans/proposals that will force the Republicans away from their gerrymander. If there's no pain point for these folks, they will not give a damn.

[DSandra]

117. If this country is lost, they will have to live in exile for years

Which is easier?

[MichMan]

16. They will just leave again as soon as the next session is called

Rinse and repeat

[Susan Calvin]

99. I sure hope you're right.

If they do and anybody tries to stop them physically, I would buy a ticket to see that. I don't see off the top of my head how it would be a good look to stay away before they see what the Republicans are going to do on the next session. We all know, of course, but that's not the same thing as having the Republicans come out and say it.

[bluestarone]

19. They stood their ground. They made their point. (TY for that)

They can't win this war on their own. My hats off to them ALL!

[RainCaster]

20. Blue State Dems can play that game too

This isn't over by a long shot.

[Duncan Grant]

22. A Republican party this corrupt has to rule, not govern.

I don’t expect democrats to legislate any victories against trump or right-wing extremists. I would like to see some sort of unified message worthy of a resistance party. Also, some effort to educate people about effective, non-violent resistance would be great — and empowering. Lastly, republicans are using fear to intimidate everyone. We should be teaching people how to overcome fear and take action.

There are many examples of effective community organizing in response to authoritarians. Barack Obama used to talk about, “Fired up! Ready to go!” — democrats should be stirring up the sh*t and leading some kind of response/resistance. Jaysus, they haven’t shown me anything to believe in. We have dry powder and a passive, frail leadership. We deserve so much better.

[Oopsie Daisy]

23. They did put up a fight. This is a fight they lost. Stop framing it as though they didn't try...

... or that they "refused to put forth the effort" (good grief!) Enough already.

I'm proud of what they did and their efforts. I applaud them for giving it their best shot under impossible circumstances. At least they made some good headlines and people (hopefully) understand what's at stake, AND maybe blue states will do the same as Texas.

[LonePirate]

27. You consider a 10 day vacation sufficient to be equivalent to trying to fight Repubs?

You and I have very different opinions on what truly qualifies as making an effort and putting up a fight.

[Oopsie Daisy]

31. In the real world, the "victory" you imagine will never happen.

[onenote]

68. Vacation?

We do have different opinions. I won't state what mine is of you at the moment.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

24. Unrec

Shameful of you to post that despicable fake headline.

[tritsofme]

25. What bullshit framing. Just more opportunity to bash Democrats and make excuses for Republicans

It’s not the fault of these Texas Democrats that some folks abject ignorance of how government actually works gave them unreasonable and unrealistic expectations about how this would end.

[LonePirate]

29. They had to stay away until just before Christmas. Is five months too much to ask to save our country?

Yes, it might be a painful sacrifice for them; but there are ways to overcome and deal with the sacrifices in modern day America.

But what harm can come from giving Republicans another two years of complete control in DC? Evidently plenty of Dems seem to think there is nothing to worry about when that happens, which seems far more likely now.

[stopdiggin]

49. "unreasonable and unrealistic expectations about how this would end. "

AND a vitriolic attack against some brave Democratic reps. Shame!

[Silent Type]

33. Thought walking out was an ineffective stunt to start with, but probably should have stuck with it once started.

[hamsterjill]

39. Exactly.

Well put. We knew how this would end, but once started, they needed to stay the course.

[ImNotGod]

35. Fascists don't play ball, they play war and until we pull the same crap on them as they do on US

we will be seeing a lot more white flags.

[LonePirate]

47. Well said! We're bringing plastic water pistols to a fight against assault rifles.

[J_William_Ryan]

41. "And people are dumbfounded as to why rank and file Democrats have such a negative opinion..."

Disagree.

What exactly did people expect Texas Democrats to do – what’s dumb is believing that this would have worked.

Just as Republicans leaving Oregon was doomed to failure.

It’s also dumb to be angry with Democrats for ‘not standing up to Trump’ – as with Democrats in Texas, Democrats at the national level can’t oppose Trump absent access to the levers of power, voted out of power by the fear, ignorance, and stupidity of the voters.

[stopdiggin]

43. from the SAME link offered by the OP

Eyewitness News has not confirmed the date, but we do know that Democrats believe they've accomplished their mission by killing the first special session and by raising national awareness about the mid-decade redistricting effort.

https://abc13.com/post/texas-house-democrats-return-home-second-special-session-abc13-sources-confirm/17515302/

quite a bit different spin there .. ?

[Cha]

72. ".. Democrats believe they've accomplished their mission by killing the first special session and by raising national

awareness about the mid-decade redistricting effort."

Just how some of us Dems feel about it. Thank You for the reality Check, stopdigging!

[sarisataka]

46. No sacrifice is too great for the common good

When it is others having to make the sacrifice

[MorbidButterflyTat]

118. Right!

They should leave their homes and families for five months if they really cared about democracy!!1!!!11
All is lost forever if they don't and don't they care??? Primary! Primary! Primary!

Kids in school? Pish!

Holidays? Pooh!

Limited funds? Where are our donations going?! They'll never get another dime from me, boy!!!1!11!!

Tough it out! The fate of the nation and maybe the entire world rests on these Texas Democrats!!1!!!1

Jeez!

I remember when people on here were demanding Taylor Swift endorse Kamala Harris because didn't she know we'd lose our democracy if she didn't???!!!11!1!

[LeftInTX]

48. They might have run out of money.

One of my friends is in the legislature and she is begging and begging for cash. Several times a day. It's illegal to use campaign funds to fund their quorum break and they are additionally fined $500/day. They have been trying to find alternate financing, but using ActBlue for this may be illegal and Go Fund Me won't cut it. I don't know.

[cadoman]

105. the funding flows was what the Patel & FBI used to get involved

It was going to be a tough gambit to pull off. Really just wasn't the right circumstances with so many institutions involved currently under MAGAt control.

I'm glad they tried something but we have plenty of seats we can gerrymander from repukes. By the time we are done they are going to be begging us to end gerrymandering.

[In It to Win It]

53. I appreciate them showing their willingness to fight. The Texas GOP was always going to get what they wanted

but I appreciate the fight.

[SSJVegeta]

54. Looking forward to James Talarico's long anticipated announcement.

[LeftInTX]

55. I heard from a state rep that they haven't decided yet and the media got ahead of things.

[crud]

60. Yes the headline in the OP is deceiving

No decision yet...They have demands to address the flood relief, but Abbott needs to agree.

[DownriverDem]

56. NO they didn't!!!!!

The session has a time limit. The Dems are going home after the session expires. Then we shall see if they leave again.

[usonian]

57. I don't accept the Nazi takeover and will do everything within my power to stop it.

Fuck these goons.

FIGHT OR GO HOME AND GET YOUR FUCKING SHINE BOX.



I'll fight them with votes,
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219813493



I'll fight them with DU posts.

Girlies, do you want to see my Magic Wand?

I'll fight them in New York


I'll fight them in Boston.


I'll fight them on the Lexington Green


I'll fight them in California


I'll fight them in space.


I'll fight them in South Beach


I'll fight them on land.


I'll fight them by air


I'll fight them by sea


I'll fight them on the beach.


I'll trip them up.


I'll flush them out.


I'll crush them.


I'll send them into the drink.

[dcmfox]

58. My opinion

Gavin and the other Governors said to. They will gerrymander even more seats.

Fingers crossed

[Eko]

61. I think waiting to see what happens before coming to a conclusion is not too much to ask.

But that is just me.

[blogslug]

62. No, they did NOT "throw in the towel"

They killed the special session. Shame on this post.

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-second-special-session-abbott-redistricting-flooding-democrats/

The state's top three elected officials — Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows — said Tuesday the Legislature will adjourn its current overtime session on Friday, and the governor will immediately call another special session with an agenda that could include more conservative items.

Lawmakers are poised to finish the session without passing any new laws after Texas House Democrats left the state last week to stop the passage of a new congressional map drawn with an aim of netting five more GOP seats in the U.S. House. Republicans argue they are allowed to redraw the lines for partisan gain at any point — even in a rare mid-decade redistricting pushed by President Donald Trump — while Democrats argue the process amounts to an attack on marginalized voters in the districts that would be reconfigured.

The quorum break has left the Capitol at an impasse. While the Senate has continued passing bills and House committees have met, the lower chamber can’t pass laws without the minimum number of present members...

[Cha]

80. Mahlao, blogslug! And, Maybe some others

on this Thread should read your post.

[niyad]

64. Maybe you could have posted the ACTUAL title of the aticle, and indicated,

as per the article, that no date has been set for their return. YOUR headline was deliberately misleading, and one wonders why.

[cstanleytech]

67. All Texas will do is to trigger the blue States to engage in retaliation by redistricting to kick Republicans out.

[FBaggins]

71. I think they're willing to have that fight

They have quite a bit more ammunition. Most of the blue states either don't have the option (NY) or have already squeezed the juice form that fruit.

[AllaN01Bear]

69. krum

thats all i can say without encountering a error 403 message and wont be able to post my thoughts .

[Arazi]

75. David Hogg looks more prescient by the day

We need to primary anyone who isn’t a fighter

[johnp3907]

77. Nice spin you put on this one.

But it’s BS.

[Cha]

127. Yeah, on a Democratic Board.

TY

[Picaro]

78. Sourcing please

I just went to abc.com and I don’t see the story.

[Rstrstx]

83. That's because there was never a problem in the Senate

It’s the House that doesn’t have a quorum (and still doesn’t)

[Picaro]

88. Thanks

I live in Dallas and I’m pretty up on this. There was always a quorum in the Texas Senate. The issue, as you note, is the House.

The House Democrats are holding firm as far as I know. Just saw Beto on MSNBC and the Texas Dems haven’t caved.

In fact, the 1st recall session is coming to an end at the end of this week. Abbot has called a 2nd additional session. Of course.

[lapucelle]

146. ABC news is NOT reporting that Texas Democrats have returned home

ABC news is reporting that Texas Democrats MAY return home over the weekend if the special session ends.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/texas-democrats-return-after-governor-ends-special-session-124593986

[LonePirate]

87. Did you try clicking the link in the original post at the top? Also, it's abc13.com not abc.com.

[CTyankee]

81. to them I say: if you can, pull up stakes and leave Texas.

I did and yes, I had to face dire opposition from my family. I am a 3rd generation Texan and I wouldn't live there for any amount of money you could give me. I just can't live in a place where the leadership is vile and is hurtful to the people who are needing the government to work for them.

[rickyhall]

85. Gen Z: It's up to you now.

[mountain grammy]

90. while it makes me sad, I do feel for these people

it isn't easy to be a Democrat in Texas. These can be some mean people, vicious even.

Remember the mother who killed the mother of her daughter's cheerleading rival so the other girl wouldn't compete?

Then the famous River Oaks murders?

Ever watch Dallas?

These Dems stood up and they'll face plenty of abuse at home. But they brought attention to the fight and maybe blue states will overcome.

[Susan Calvin]

93. This may have already been asked up thread.

What's stopping them from breaking quorum again in the next special session?

[Susan Calvin]

94. Why aren't the Senators breaking quorum?

Or at least serving as a backup to the representatives, rather than making a statement that they won't break quorum?? I don't remember where I read it, but I read that they don't have the same penalties as the house members if they break quorum, either.

[JI7]

96. What BS. They did what they could. If the fucking voters in Texas

agree with them and what the Republicans are doing is fucked up they can stop. this.

But my guess is the state will keep voting Republican.

This is a democracy. Not sure why people expect people to do things when people are voting against them.

[Mblaze]

97. They know that in a battle of redistricting

Around the country, Democrats will gain seats. California alone will outnumber Texas.

[sheshe2]

98. For a minute there, I thought your title was ABC's...

But I see it is not, it was one of your own making, as is the content of the article.

ABC:

Texas Democrats to return home for second special session, ABC13 sources confirm

Eyewitness News has not confirmed the date, but we do know that Democrats believe they've accomplished their mission by killing the first special session and by raising national awareness about the mid-decade redistricting effort.

snip

After our initial reporting online and on television, a spokesperson for the Texas Democratic Caucus sent the following statement to ABC News:

"Members are still assessing their strategies going forward and are in a private meeting to make decisions about future plans currently," he wrote. "If and when Texas House Democrats breaking quorum decide to go home is squarely dependent on the actions the Governor, Speaker, and Texas Republicans in charge make with regard to prioritizing flood victims over redistricting that hurts Texans."

https://abc13.com/post/texas-house-democrats-return-home-second-special-session-abc13-sources-confirm/17515302/

You mislead what was in the actual article along with the title.

[LonePirate]

104. There is no difference between my headline and the headline in the article. I simply connected the dots.

You even copied their headline for reference: "Texas Democrats to return home for second special session, ABC13 sources confirm"

What exactly do you think the Texas Repubs are going to do in that second special session? Do you believe they are not going to bring the redistricting bill up for a vote? Is there any significant difference whether the Dems come home Saturday or the following week?

[sheshe2]

106. You mislead.

Period.

[Cha]

112. Mahlao, she! Really SAD the way

"Misreading" is going on here.

TY for another Reality Check.. there are other Dems on this thread doing the same and I Appreciate All of you!

[sheshe2]

119. It is unbelievable to see on a Democratic board, Cha.

Misleading/Misrepresenting a link that is posted and what the title and context ACTUALLY STATES!

Unbelievable.

[niyad]

107. I wish your posts would quit insulting our intelligence like that. Apart from

the "spin" that you call "connecting the dots", the headline and main line of the linked article are in future tense, your headline is present tense. Big difference there, but do keep trying, the exercise is fascinating.

[LonePirate]

110. You're denying the reality of the situation. It is irrelevant whether they return today, tomorrow or next week.

They are returning home before the second session per the article's own headline. Unless that second session is well into 2026 - something at odds with everything Texas Repubs have said will happen and something which is not mentioned in the article - it does not matter whether the return has already happened or is imminent. The consequence is the same. The bill is going to pass and they will not have blocked it. Sure, they may have delayed it a week or two but that changes nothing.

Do you also object to people saying the sun will rise tomorrow? That's essentially the basis of your complaint.

[niyad]

121. remdi95

[lapucelle]

148. Still no answer. Interesting. N/T

[lapucelle]

144. Sorry. That doesn't work on me. That's not your headline.

Why not connect all the dots...

"In my opinion, by returning home after the special session ends, Texas Democrats will be throwing in the towel"

[LonePirate]

145. Yes because a second session will be called as soon as they are back home

They know this. They know when they return home Abbott will be calling a new session. By showing up for the second session, they are throwing in the towel and giving up. Do they expect people to fall for the nonsensical line of “I blocked the bill before allowing it to pass” as being something worthy of praise?

[lapucelle]

147. Thanks for the admission that Texas Democrats have not returned home, that it were merely

speculation in the service of advancing a narrative, and that the "connect the dots" process was misleading at best.

Who benefits from misinformation concerning the Democratic Party? Who benefits from speculation presented as facts on the ground in the service of badmouthing Texas Democrats?

Cui bono?

Not Democrats.

[Martin68]

100. I respect them for trying, and I think they brought attention to the issue. California, NY and other Blue States have

energized to corner-attack and play hardball as a result. They also bought time for Democrats to plan and put a counter-attack into action.

[gab13by13]

113. Why are Democrats polling, "favorability"

the lowest since 1992?

It can't just be because of a few posters on DU.

Maybe life long Democrats like me are upset when Schumer broke ranks with the House and passed the CR back in March and got absolutely nothing in return? Passing the CR paved the way for all of the abuses in the Big Ugly Death Bill.

How many members of DU remember Schumer going on Chris Hayes and publicly stated his strategy right after that vote? Schumer said that Krasnov will burn it all down and then Democrats will win the next election. Everyone here agree with Schumer's strategy? If I disagree with it am I a bad Democrat?

[betsuni]

116. Mommy, WHY DIDN'T DEMS STOP REPUBLICANS?! Never give Dems the benefit of the doubt, always assume bad motivations!

Throw in the towel, don't fight, spineless, nobody likes Democrats. Come on everybody, jump on the I Hate Democrats bandwagon! Republicans are so strong, so authentic and consistent, fight so hard. They're just so dreamy!

[Cha]

129. The Whole GD World is being run by

two Evil Crackpots..

And I come to DU for Sanity.. and What do we Get?.. What you described. and it's not even the way it is.

Mahalo

[Keepthesoulalive]

130. Drama sells

And it’s not only the republicans. Click….

[Cha]

131. Dangerous misleading Drama.

Which is my nice way of putting it.

TY

[Keepthesoulalive]

138. We must be careful

Some folks may be sensitive to criticism, mainly if you are trying to stir the shit pot.

[Oeditpus Rex]

120. So, we've got 'TACO'

and now "DACO."

I'm sick of this.

"If you elect me as your representative, I'll write a Sternly Worded Letter to the White House!"

[Jack Valentino]

126. I wouldn't be so hard on the Texas Dems--- they are being fined $500 a day for their absence,

against a very small salary for the job. There is no way they could keep this up for very long, if they wished to remain representatives...

Per Google search AI:
"Members of the Texas House of Representatives are paid a base salary of $7,200 per year. This salary is supplemented by a per diem for each day the legislature is in session, which was $221 in the 2021-2022 biennium, according to OERTX (.gov). Additionally, they receive mileage reimbursement for travel expenses.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Base Salary: $600 per month, totaling $7,200 annually.
Per Diem: $221 per day for each day the Legislature is in session, including both regular and special sessions.
Mileage Reimbursement: 65.5 cents per mile for car travel according to the National Conference of State Legislatures."

[Midwestern Democrat]

141. Agreed - however, that's the very reason why I was dumbfounded that they bothered to do this stunt in the first place.

I hate to say it but I put stuff like this in the category of "performance art" - what the hell's the point of doing stuff like this if there is a 100% chance of failure?

[MagickMuffin]

169. Awareness, bringing this illegal gerrymandering into the public forum

Awareness, they are bringing awareness to the fight us Texans are in.

No matter how many “special sessions” Abbott brings, eventually we will lose the fight.

However, that is exactly why they fled the state and it has nothing to do with “performative art” these brave Texas Democrats are strategizing with our Democratic governors.

[Jack Valentino]

173. To make a public stand against it, and draw public attention,

and it has gotten enough attention that numerous Democratically-controlled states
are hoping to do redraw congressional districts to nullify the effects of the Texas effort...

Even if their resistance was doomed, it was worth making the effort,
and HAS made a difference--- even if they could not stop
the fascist reapportionment in their own state...

[lapucelle]

132. Your headline isn't accurate. TEXAS DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT RETURNED HOME.

Your headline isn't accurate. TEXAS DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT RETURNED HOME.

Your own link says that TEXAS DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT RETURNED HOME.

House Democrats who left Texas to block redistricting are discussing when they will return

Members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus are now discussing when they will return to Texas. They said they consider it a success that they have just about killed the special session and an effort in the House to pass new Congressional maps that will give Republicans five new majority seats.

snip-----------------------------------

The Texas House Democratic Caucus Chairman, Representative Gene Wu, of Houston, sent a statement early Tuesday afternoon: "We said we would defeat Abbott's first corrupt special session, and that's exactly what we're doing. Now, the ball is in Abbott's court: He can stop blocking flood relief immediately. Stop playing political games."

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/house-democrats-who-left-texas-to-block-redistricting-are-discussing-when-they-will-return/

[LonePirate]

136. What do you think you're gaining or proving by parsing an irrelevant language difference?

There is no fundamental difference between agreeing to come home ahead of a second session and coming home today. Both result in Texas Republicans passing their bill, be it tomorrow or next week. Their imminent return home changes nothing and is not the gotcha or shame tactic you seem to think it is.

[lapucelle]

142. The difference between something that is true and something that is false

is not an "irrelevant language difference".

[LonePirate]

143. Except there is nothing false about saying they are giving up by coming home ahead of a second session.

It seems like there is some belief that the second session will not contain any redistricting bills. That belief is false. By coming home, they are allowing that bill to pass. It is irrelevant which day in the next week or so that they actually return home. How is this a difficult concept for people to understand?

[W_HAMILTON]

133. "Bad things about Democrats" has turned into "disinformation about Democrats."

[betsuni]

139. That's what "constructive criticism" means now.

[Orrex]

134. What we need now is for someone to scold us for faulting our mighty elected Democrats.

[LonePirate]

135. There are some replies in here where people are raking me (the OP) over the coals.

Assuming you were genuine with your request, of course.

[Orrex]

137. A certain contingent has always done that

Whatever national or Constitutional crisis we might be facing, the most important thing is apparently to belittle fellow DUers and to make them feel stupid for expressing wholly legitimate and justifiable frustration.

[lapucelle]

153. "A certain contigent has always fact-shamed misinformation.

Whatever national or Constitutional[sic] crisis we might be facing, they will belittle people to make them feel stupid for expressing wholly legitimate and justifiable frustration by spreading misinformation about Democrats."

Things that have not happened:

- Texas Democrats have not "thrown in the towel"
- Texas Democrats have not returned home
- Texas Democrats have not "granted Republican redistricting"
- Texas Democrats have not refused to put forth the effort to fight Republicans

What is dumbfounding is why any Democrat would frame speculation and opinion as fact in an effort to badmouth Democratic elected officials and dishearten Democrats in general on a Democratic chatboard.

Who benefits from speculation and opinion framed as fact?
Cui bono?

Not Democrats.

[W_HAMILTON]

156. Exactly. Why is a purported Democrat, on a website that supports Democrats, posting disinformation about Democrats?

[lapucelle]

158. There's an interesting point made in post 121.

[lapucelle]

159. Disinformation about Democrats depresses support which in turn depresses the vote.

Even though most folks see it as an off-year, there are important elections happening in November.

2025 United States elections

Elections are scheduled to be held in the United States, in large part, on November 4, 2025. The off-year election includes gubernatorial and state legislative elections in a few states, as well as numerous mayoral races and a variety of other local offices on the ballot. Special elections to the United States Congress for newly vacant seats will also take place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_elections

[lostincalifornia]

149. NO they are NOT throwing the towel in. Does anybody actually read what the NEWS article said, or do some folks

just like to intentionally misrepresent this in order to find an excuse to bash Democrats.

It is really sad if this is what DU is becoming.

They brought attention to what was going on, and in case people are NOT aware it has motivated Democratic states to do their own redistricting.

[JCMach1]

151. Correct answer. No one was going to blink in TX

So best to make a stand to wake people up in other states.

TX is a lost cost with people who want to claim MAGA after Trump (Gov. Hotwheels)

[lostincalifornia]

160. I think we are essentially saying the same thing JC.

[JCMach1]

161. Yep. There is no way to derail this

Gov. Hotwheels and Paxton both trying to channel MAGA going forward in their ambitions.

[lostincalifornia]

163. and Newsom here in California, and Pritzker in Illinois, and others are working to counter it in their

respective states.

It would be nice if the Supreme Court would actually step in and say that redistricting should only happen after a census, but with this Supreme Court of chaos, it won't happen.

[JustAnotherGen]

152. Disagree

Watch hot wheels call another special session . . . and watch them flee again!

[Eliot Rosewater]

154. What happened has happened now is the time to put pressure on

All blue state officials to do what the disgusting pig fucks in Texas are doing.

President Obama once said we have to tell them what we want and we have to do it in an assertive way, I don’t remember the exact quote though.

Is there a way to organize people to call their representatives in their respective states?

This is our last chance to survive probably.

[republianmushroom]

155. Todays headline: Texas Democrats to return after governor ends special session that included redistricting, sources say

special session that included redistricting, sources say.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143512149

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/texas-democrats-return-after-governor-ends-special-session/story?id=124592449

[obamanut2012]

157. This is not what happened at all

[senseandsensibility]

162. Not true

Please delete.

[mcar]

164. This is false. Why is it still here?

[LonePirate]

165. It's not false. They have agreed to return home which is tantamount to surrendering.

The specific date they return home is inconsequential given that it will likely be within the next week. A second session will begin when they return and the bill will pass. That’s not a victory for Americans.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

166. We were going to lose anyway-this was mainly to get media attention at how shitty the Pubs are n/t

[lapucelle]

170. ...

[Nevilledog]

172. It's not accurate

Link to tweet

Texas House Democrats: What happens next is entirely up to Greg Abbott. After deliberation among our caucus, we have reached a consensus: Texas House Democrats refuse to give him a quorum to pass his racist maps that silence more than 2 million Black and Latino Texans — in keeping with our original promise to Texans, the First Called Special Session will never make quorum again, defeating Abbott’s first attempt at passing his racial gerrymander.

[roamer65]

171. "Madame, we have given you a republic, if you can keep it."

The prophetic words of Ben Franklin.