The Texas House Committee on Congressional Redistricting today advanced a proposed redistricting bill, HB 4, without public testimony.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2025
CONTACT: Emily Witt (she/her), [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House Committee on Congressional Redistricting today advanced proposed redistricting legislation, House Bill 4, which would redraw Texas’ congressional voting maps. The advancement occurred during a formal meeting that did not allow public testimony.
The controversial legislation was previously introduced during the first special session. In response, Texas House Democrats chose to break quorum, stating the proposed voting maps unfairly “gerrymander” Texas voting districts. Democrats also decried the prioritization of redistricting legislation before flood relief and disaster preparedness.
The first special session ended Friday, August 15, and Governor Abbott immediately called a second special session, which began on Friday, August 15 as well.
Enough Texas House Democrats were present today to restore a quorum in the House, with the caucus announcing that their demands for the first special session to end and for Democratic state leaders to engage in their own redistricting processes had been met.
Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) issued the following response:
“It is indefensible that the Texas House would move forward with silencing our votes without hearing our voices. They know the people see these racist voting maps for what they are: A Trump takeover and a blatant power grab. Once again, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans are putting Trump’s childish demands before passing vital flood relief for Texans who have lost everything.
“When they broke quorum, Texas House Democrats put Texans first—refusing to bow down to authoritarianism. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to those who broke quorum, and leaders like Representative Collier—a Black woman who is literally being held hostage in the House Chambers because she understands that the eyes of history are on Texas.
“What we do in this moment—how we defend democracy—matters. Texas Freedom Network is proud to be in this fight with our partners and legislative allies as we continue to hold the line against attacks on our voting power, transgender neighbors, and reproductive freedom in this second special session. If we were not so powerful, they would not be holding flood relief hostage to take away our voting rights.”
Texas for All, a coalition of progressive advocacy organizations, welcomed Texas House Democrats into the House Chamber this morning with chants and signage, thanking them for their coordinated quorum break during the first special session.
Upon re-entering the Texas House Chambers, Democrats who broke quorum were asked to sign “permission slips” consenting to a DPS (Department of Public Safety) escort to ensure they return to the House by 10 AM on Wednesday, August 20.
Representative Nicole Collier refused to consent to the DPS escort and was therefore blocked from leaving the Texas House Chamber at the time of this sending.
