In a national political standoff over redistricting, Texas Democrats have conditioned their return from an out-of-state protest on California taking retaliatory action and the current special session ending.

Texas

Texas House Democrats are continuing their protest against Republican-led redistricting efforts by remaining out of state. They have stated they will only return if the current special legislative session concludes as scheduled and if California initiates mid-census redistricting, a move recently announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Texas Democrats' absence has stalled legislation in the House, with their protest aimed at opposing efforts to create additional Republican congressional seats. In response, some Texas Republicans have suggested that the state could pursue even more aggressive redistricting. The developments have led to increased political tension and have drawn national attention to redistricting practices.

Texas Democrats tie return to California redistricting move

Well, Texas House Democrats are making two demands before they end their out-of-state protest of Republican redistricting. One is that the first special session ends Friday, which is already scheduled to happen. And they also said that they would only return if California puts forth a plan to do mid-census redistricting, something California Governor Gavin Newsom just announced. Fox 4's Stephen Dyle has this report. What started as political drama in Texas has now spread to other states, starting with California. And we have got to meet fire with fire. Governor Gavin Newsom called for a November special election to undo a constitutional amendment that created a nonpartisan redistricting commission. With voter approval, Democrats would have clearance to redraw districts in their favor. The process begins next week. We're doing this in reaction to a president of the United States that called a sitting governor of the state of Texas and said, find me five seats. We're doing it in reaction to that act. For two weeks, Texas House Democrats have blocked legislation from passing in the House with their absence. Democrats say it's in protest of President Trump calling for Texas to create five new Republican seats in Congress. Dr. Tom Oliverson, the House GOP chair, one of many Republicans, calling the new map perfectly legal. I would argue that somehow this is, you know, disenfranchising people and taking votes away from people. I just, I don't see that. The absence of Democrats has set two conditions for their return. Redistricting in California. And they want the current special session to end on Friday, which it appears it will. Is that a good solution? I mean, just because Texas is doing it, we're going to do it back? Absolutely. I mean, you know, again, you've got to understand this. This isn't a fight that we weren't looking for. All right. This is a fight that Donald Trump has started. So what do Democrats have to do if the map eventually passes? We saw it happen in Georgia when they had well over 80 percent show up. We ended up with two senators. So I'm not going to give up. I believe the Texans understand that we are living in some really desperate times. And so therefore, we've got to do things that we've never done, including show up all around and vote in our interest instead of against our interest. Representative Oliverson supports talk of Texas drawing even more Republican seats. Some have suggested the GOP could gain nine to 10 seats. Texas could have and maybe should be more aggressive in redistricting than we initially proposed if this is the way it's going to be. Stephen Dyle, Fox 4 News.

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Anchorage

Ukraine Invasion

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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London

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Kyiv

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Brussels

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Breakdown