Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Friday warned that Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block redistricting votes will face arrest if they attempt to return home over the weekend. Burrows declared they would not enjoy a “peaceful weekend” but instead would be “compelled to this chamber.”
A new special session of the Texas House of Representatives began Friday afternoon, shortly after Republicans once again failed to reach a quorum due to the Democrats’ absence.
Democrats had left Texas to stall GOP redistricting efforts, but many are now signaling plans to return. Earlier in the day, the Republican-controlled chamber adjourned the first special session, only for Gov. Greg Abbott to immediately call a second one. That session began at noon CT but was quickly adjourned again.
At the opening of the new session, Burrows predicted a quorum would be reached by Monday with the Democrats’ likely return. He also made clear that any members who come back early will face immediate arrest. “Civil arrest warrants will be reissued. If you are located, you will be compelled to this chamber,” Burrows said.
He added: “Those who are here today, you have earned the weekend at home with your families, but those who have refused to make quorum—do not think you have permission to return to Texas and enjoy a peaceful weekend before finally showing up to work.”
As Democrats weigh their return, Abbott told Fox News Digital the state is reviewing whether absent lawmakers may have broken bribery laws by accepting money to avoid quorum.
The developments in Austin come just one day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats unveiled their plan to counter President Donald Trump and Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting push. Newsom pledged to “meet fire with fire” by redrawing California’s maps to favor Democrats.
Texas Democrats who fled to states such as Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts have promised to come back following the adjournment of the first special session, though they did not give a specific date. Their return would allow Republicans to move forward with passing new maps. Democrats, however, vow to fight those maps in court, citing California’s moves as momentum for their cause.
Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said, “Now, as Democrats across the nation join our fight to cause these maps to fail their political purpose, we’re prepared to bring this battle back to Texas under the right conditions and to take this fight to the courts.”
Abbott has urged Texas’ highest court to remove Wu from office, while Attorney General Ken Paxton has requested that 13 Democratic lawmakers also face removal. The absent Democrats risk fines of up to $500 per day.
While the Texas Senate has already passed the GOP-backed congressional maps, the House has been unable to do so without a quorum. Abbott reiterated Friday that he would “continue to call special session after special session until we get this Texas first agenda passed.”
The redistricting fight in Texas is part of a broader national strategy, pushed by Trump, to secure the GOP’s narrow House majority heading into the 2026 midterms. During Trump’s first term, Republicans lost the House in 2018, and party leaders are determined not to repeat that outcome.
Meanwhile, in California, Newsom is moving toward a special election to undo constitutional amendments that created the state’s independent redistricting commission. Democrats are confident they can secure the two-thirds legislative vote required to place the measure on the ballot and advance their new maps.
Newsom argued Thursday, “Here we are in open and plain sight before one vote is cast in the 2026 midterm election and here [Trump] is once again trying to rig the system.” His appearance also marked the start of a major fundraising push to support the campaign.
California Democrats insist they will not permanently dismantle the independent redistricting commission, which remains popular with voters. Instead, they are asking for temporary legislative control through the 2026, 2028, and 2030 cycles, pledging to restore the commission after the 2030 census.
Their plan faces opposition from supporters of the current commission, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the last Republican to lead California.
Currently, Democrats hold 43 of California’s 52 congressional seats, while Republicans control 25 of Texas’ 38 districts.
