(C) Texas Tribune This story was originally published by Texas Tribune and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Blast - August 20, 2025 [1] ['The Texas Tribune'] Date: 2025-08 24 days until sine die 80 days until the candidate filing period begins 110 days until the candidate filing deadline “SEE YOU BACK IN COURT” On the Texas House floor today, Democrats prepared for the inevitable passage of the GOP’s proposed congressional map, setting the groundwork for a future lawsuit against the mid-decade redistricting. While the map’s sponsor, Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, repeatedly said the lines were redrawn using political considerations, Democrats tried to provide a record to show that Republicans were packing and cracking districts based on race. The proposal splits historic minority communities and groups them with rural districts many miles away, they argued. “It’s easy when staring at a map of Texas on your computer to look at spreadsheets with population data and voter turnout and use it to draw shapes that will help you win elections,” said Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, “but redistricting is about the people and the communities and creating districts that comply with the principle of one person, one vote.” Rep. Linda Garcia, D-Mesquite, noted that TX-32 would drop from a Black and Hispanic coalition district into a majority white district, watering down the Dallas County core by attaching it to several other counties. “This is not a minor adjustment,” she said. “This is deliberate dismantling of minority voting strength in North Texas.” It was a testy eight-plus hours of debate. There were several assertions about “racist” maps and comparisons to slavery, dictatorships and the Nazis. Republicans took issue with those characterizations. “It is my observation that House members that repeatedly accuse others of racism are in fact the most racist people I have ever met,” Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, posted on social media. “They don’t seem capable of seeing people’s identity separate from their race.” Meanwhile, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and the GOP caucus got a lift from the White House on the eve of the House vote. “All we need to do is keep it this way, which is exactly why Texas Republicans need to help us WIN the 2026 Midterm Elections, and pass their new Bill, AS IS, for the ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONGRESSIONAL MAP!” President Donald Trump posted. “With the Texas House now in Quorum, thanks to GREAT Speaker Dustin Burrows, I call on all of my Republican friends in the Legislature to work as fast as they can to get THIS MAP to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, ASAP.” While redistricting and the quorum break have helped solidify Republican support for Burrows, he may also be shedding support from Democrats, who helped put him over the finish line to elect him speaker at the start of the year. That may have implications for the next speaker’s race. “This is shameful what is happening here, Mr. Speaker,” said Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso, “and with this map, I can no longer, in good conscience, continue to support you.” Texas GOP Chair Abraham George pounced on the moment on social media. “[Burrows] has been a strong ally on redistricting,” George said. “If Democrats want to pick a fight with him, it’s time for the Republican Caucus to rally behind the speaker. This is also the perfect moment to strip Democrats of their vice chairmanships and subcommittee chairs.” In a statement heralding the map’s passage, Burrows said the redistricting fight had “ushered in a new chapter of Republican unity, and I am proud to have led my colleagues in this important achievement.” No punishment is guaranteed for Democrats. But one thing is for certain. [END] --- [1] Url: https://thetexastribune.beehiiv.com/p/the-blast-august-20-2025-0ad7c51fea458188 Published and (C) by Texas Tribune Content appears here under this condition or license: Used with Permission: https://www.texastribune.org/republishing-guidelines/. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/texastribune/