() Texas House Democrats returned to the state capital under police surveillance after House Speaker Dustin Burrows declared a quorum had been reached in a second special legislative session.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers have been ordered to provide “around-the-clock escorts” for lawmakers after Democrats fled the state to block a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting proposal.
State Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, refused the police escort, stating she’d rather spend the night inside the Capitol than agree to have a trooper monitor her movements. She was still in the Capitol on early Tuesday, livestreaming from the House floor.
“They are under the custody of DPS,” Collier said, of her colleagues. “They’re not free to go anywhere unless the DPS is following them. I would say that they are also being detained. I’m being detained on the floor because I’m being defiant and refusing to bow down to everything that they say.”
Burrows ordered the chamber doors locked and has required written permission for members to leave. Democrats who previously broke quorum and faced arrest warrants must agree to be released into the custody of a designated trooper, who will escort them back for the next session.
Texas democrats face penalties for breaking quorum
Civil arrest warrants remain active for the lawmakers, along with fines, budget cuts and other penalties for breaking quorum.
Burrows said those who fled the state cost the DPS at least six figures in overtime a cost the Democrats are expected to cover. Each lawmaker is also responsible for a $500 daily fine, which adds up to $7,000 each for their 14-day absence.
Republicans have argued the police escorts are simply an enforcement of the rules, but Democrats say the measures are an abuse of power.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom introduces redistricting measure
Some Democratic states, including California, are considering redrawing their electoral maps in response to Republicans’ efforts in Texas.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced Proposition 50 on Monday, which sets up a special election to allow California voters to decide if they support or oppose his retaliatory redistricting plan.
California typically uses an independent redistricting commission to draw its congressional maps. If approved, Newsom’s plan would allow Democrats to circumvent the independent commission and proceed with a mid-decade redistricting plan.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson vowed to fight California’s changes, calling the move a “slap in the face to California voters.”
Former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also voiced his opposition, stating he was “getting ready for the gerrymandering battle.”
Lawmakers in Texas were scheduled to reconvene Wednesday morning.
