Across the nation, people gathered to protest President Donald Trump’s push to redraw congressional maps to favor Republicans. People rallied in Austin and in Chicago. A group of Texas Democrats have been camped out in suburban Chicago for nearly 2 weeks in an effort to block those plans. Here in Texas on Monday, several Democrats are expected to return to the state for the 2nd special legislative session. KP’s Daniel Perro joins us now, and Daniel, the state lawmakers did not say when they’re heading back home, but they made it clear the next chapter of their fight is about to begin.
That’s right, Tisha. While the congressional district map that Democrats broke quorum to stop is expected to pass in the 2nd special session, House Democrats are still declaring victory after they delayed a vote on the proposed congressional maps long enough to kill that first special session. — We could not have done this without — you. Texas Democrats declaring victory in the Windy City. I think we are victorious and we are going up with our heads high.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in downtown Chicago, State Representative James Tallarico celebrating how the quorum break has brought redistricting to the national conversation and led blue states like California to retaliate.
And the people caught us. Together we shined a national spotlight on this power grab. More than 50 House Democrats fled the state two weeks ago to block votes on a new map that aims to give Republicans 5 more seats in Congress. We are successful because to us victory is engaging with people, raising awareness, which is happening.
Back in Texas, Republicans intensifying their rhetoric, — calling on the House Democrats to — return. We hold a lot more bullets in our belt. — That we will be ready to use if we — need to at the Capitol.
Hundreds protested President Trump and Texas Republicans. We are here to remind them that they are violating their oath.
Among them, 95-year-old labor and human rights activist Doloresta. other people’s rights. That is actually the way that we hold the peace. That’s the way that we can stop the division. State Representative Jalanda Jones says the proposed new map would hurt minority.
Voters, there’s no rules in love and war. You guys are clearly breaking every rule. You’re breaking the Constitution. You’re targeting black and brown people, and that’s just flat out wrong. Texas Democrats may be going home, but there’s a new battle on the horizon, even if they don’t have the votes to block the bill from passing.
We’re going to create the argument. We’ll have the documentation and we’ll take the fight to the courts. So we’re passing the baton to other states to come up. Just over 24 hours into this second special session, the Texas Senate has advanced 16 bills through committees.
They’re now eligible for consideration on the Senate floor.
The Senate redistricting Committee is holding public hearings on that proposed new congressional map tomorrow and Monday. The special session lasts up to 30 days. In the studio, Daniel Perro, KV News. Daniel, thank you..
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