Texas Senate Democrats: Focus On Texas Recovery, Not Trump’s Redistricting Politics

AUSTIN, TX—The following is a statement from the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus regarding Governor Abbott’s (and President Trump’s) Special Session:

“Texas legislators are returning to Austin during a critical time when many communities are still recovering from the devastating July 4th floods. With 135 killed, it’s one of the deadliest disasters in the state’s modern history. Homes remain damaged, families displaced and recovery efforts ongoing. We must be laser-focused on helping Texans rebuild—not on political maneuvering to save an unpopular president in the next election.

“Instead of focusing on urgent recovery, state leaders are pushing a politically motivated mid-decade redistricting scheme with no legal justification, no court order and no demographic necessity—just fear of losing seats. They want to redraw maps to entrench GOP power by silencing the voices of communities of color and working families who have already been marginalized under the current maps. This is about keeping Trump in power, not Texans’ well-being.

“Texas Senate Democrats are back in Austin with one mission: demand real flood recovery now. We call for immediate investments in levees, drainage, emergency systems and fast, barrier-free disaster aid.

“This session must be about rebuilding communities, not rigging elections. Texans deserve leaders who put Texans first, not those who let Trump use Texas for his political agenda.”