Former President Barack Obama praised a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a vote on a redistricting bill, calling their actions “inspiring,” according to reports.
Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, shared on X Thursday that he was grateful for the Zoom meeting with Obama.
Wu said the Democrats were “encouraged” by Obama’s remarks and remain “committed to fighting for democracy, in Texas & across the country.”
ABC News reported that an Obama spokesperson confirmed the meeting, saying he “lauded their fight against the Republican efforts to enact an even more egregious gerrymander in Texas ahead of the midterms.”
The spokesperson added that Obama emphasized the lawmakers are “part of a bigger effort to protect free and fair elections” and praised them for inspiring others with their actions.
The standoff between Texas Republicans and Democrats centers on a redistricting bill backed by President Donald Trump that could give the GOP five additional congressional seats. More than 50 Democratic members of the Texas House left the state to prevent the legislature from reaching a quorum needed to pass the measure.
In response, Texas Republican leaders have taken legal action to compel the absent lawmakers to return and warned they could be removed from office if they continue refusing to participate.
Texas House Democrats said Thursday that they would only return if the legislature agrees to adjourn without scheduling another session or if California introduces its own redistricting legislation to “neutralize” the GOP seats gained in Texas.
Obama has voiced solidarity with the Texas Democrats in previous statements, including an Aug. 5 X post in which he wrote, “We can’t lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year’s midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy.”
Wu told ABC News that the Democrats were “especially excited” to have Obama address them via Zoom.
“Having President Obama speak with us and support us is proof that when Texas House Democrats stand up and fight back, we don’t stand alone — we have the support of Democrats at every level who understand that when Republicans attack voting rights in Texas, they’re attacking the foundation of our democracy everywhere,” Wu said.
He added that the meeting had to be held via Zoom due to “Republican threats.”
“The fact that we have to meet President Obama from an undisclosed location and via Zoom because of Republican threats and surveillance only proves how desperate Abbott and his extremist allies have become,” Wu said. “They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling apart, so they’re resorting to intimidation tactics. But President Obama’s support shows the whole country is watching — and Texas House Democrats won’t be silenced by bullies.”
On Thursday, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to counter the Texas redistricting plan by pushing for his state to redraw its districts to eliminate the Republican seats.
In response, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, suggested that if California removes all its Republican districts, Texas should do the same, which would leave the GOP with a net gain.
