Press Releases
Texas Senate Democratic Caucus: Texas Republicans Silence Senator, Silence Texans
Austin, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statement on Republican leadership’s actions to block Senator Carol Alvarado’s planned filibuster late Friday night:
“This weekend, Texas Republicans crossed a line and set a dangerous precedent by silencing Senator Carol Alvarado and denying her the right to filibuster legislation that will weaken the voices of millions of Texans.
“For ten hours, all 11 members of our caucus stood united in debate, asking questions and speaking out against House Bill 4. Senator Alvarado was prepared to continue that fight through one of the few tools available to the minority: a filibuster. But rather than allow her to speak, Republican leadership engineered a late-night maneuver to shut her down. They abruptly recessed the Senate for three hours, returned near midnight and then invoked a rarely used procedure to cut off her voice—citing a flimsy pretext based on a routine campaign email.
“This was not about procedure. This was about power. Silencing Senator Alvarado is part and parcel of the same pattern we saw with this bill: silencing voters, limiting transparency and eroding democracy in Texas.
“Senator Alvarado acted with integrity and resolve, ready to speak for her constituents and for all Texans who are being shut out of this process. By denying her that chance, Republican leadership has silenced not just one senator but the millions of Texans that we all represent.
“The people of Texas deserve leaders who fight for their voices to be heard—not politicians who manipulate the rules to protect their own power. We will not be intimidated, and we will not stop speaking out for fairness, democracy and the right of every Texan to be heard.”
Texas Senate Democratic Caucus: Standing with Senator Alvarado to Oppose H.B. 4
Austin, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus today issued the following statement in support of Caucus Chair Carol Alvarado’s intent to filibuster House Bill 4—a brazen, mid- decade power grab designed to silence voters and protect politicians, not people.
“H.B. 4 is about one thing: keeping power in the hands of a few while stripping minority Texans of their voice. We’re not going to sit by while democracy is dismantled in broad daylight.
Senator Alvarado is standing for all Texans, and we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with her. Our message is simple: Politicians don’t get to pick their voters—voters should get to pick their politicians.
“For more than two centuries, redistricting has followed the census to reflect population changes in an orderly process. H.B. 4 is not that process—it is a blatant attempt to manipulate maps to avoid accountability for unpopular policies. This sets a dangerous precedent where politicians could redraw maps before every election, leaving citizens with no real say at all. We intend to use every procedural tool available under the Senate rules to oppose H.B. 4 and to fight for fair representation for the people of Texas.”
Texas Senate Democrats and Mi Familia Vota: New Redistricting Plan Cheats Latino Voters
Austin, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus and Mi Familia Vota today condemned the Legislature’s mid-decade redistricting plan, warning it slashes Latino representation, repeats decades of discriminatory practices, and distracts from Texans’ urgent need for flood relief.
“Texans have been clear: they need flood relief now,” said Senator José Menéndez. “Forty-seven days after the July 4 floods, families are still waiting. The Governor has the authority to deliver aid immediately, instead, he’s called two special sessions to redraw congressional maps. This map counts Latino residents but sidelines Latino voters—and Texans deserve better.”
Under the proposed maps, Latinos—who make up nearly 40% of Texas’s population—would be the majority in only 8 of 38 congressional districts, just over one- fifth. Multiracial coalition districts would shrink from nine to four.
Héctor Sánchez Barba, President and CEO, Mi Familia Vota, said the plan is a direct attack on Latino political power: “Latino families are the backbone of Texas’s present and future, yet they are being cheated out of fair political representation by unscrupulous politicians. The cynical map drawn by Abbott and the Republican Legislature is clearly intended to silence minority voices. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is clear that no state can dilute minority voting strength. That’s why Texas has been struck down for discriminatory maps every decade for 50 years, and this Trump-ordered attempt to avoid accountability by rigging the rules will be no different.”
Senators highlighted examples across the state where voters of color are systematically weakened:
South Texas: Longtime Latino districts (TX-28, TX-34) are cracked and redrawn into Republican-leaning seats.
Urban Areas: Black and Latino voters in Houston and Dallas are packed into already-safe Democratic districts, stripping their influence elsewhere.
Central Texas: Hays County, a diverse and growing area, is split between two Republican districts to dilute its sway.
“Latino-Majority” Seats: New districts in Houston and San Antonio are drawn to appear Hispanic-majority, but lean Republican by 10–15 points, undermining effective voting power.
“Every decade, Texas courts have struck down maps for discrimination,” said Senator Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio. “This map is no different. It’s a cynical attempt to weaken Latino, Black, and Asian communities while Texans wait for the flood relief they were promised.”
“This is about leaders avoiding responsibility for unpopular policies, from cutting health care and food assistance to raising costs for working families,” continued Gutierrez. “Texans want leaders who focus on rebuilding and helping families make ends meet, not rewriting political maps for Washington insiders and billionaire donors.”
LOS DEMÓCRATAS DEL SENADO DE TEXAS Y MI FAMILIA VOTA: EL NUEVO PLAN DE REDISTRIBUCIÓN ENGAÑA A LOS VOTANTES LATINOS E IGNORA LA NECESIDAD DE ALIVIO POR LAS INUNDACIONES
Austin, TX—El Caucus Demócrata del Senado de Texas y Mi Familia Vota condenaron hoy el plan abrupto de redistribución propuesto por la legislatura, advirtiendo que disminuye la representación latina, repite décadas de prácticas discriminatorias y desvía la atención de la urgencia de alivio por inundaciones en Texas.
“Los tejanos han sido claros: necesitan alivio por las inundaciones ahora”, dijo el Senador José Menéndez. “Cuarenta y siete días después de las inundaciones del 4 de julio, las familias siguen esperando. El Gobernador tiene la autoridad de dar la ayuda de inmediato; en lugar de eso, ha convocado dos sesiones especiales para volver a trazar los mapas congresionales. Este mapa cuenta a los residentes latinos pero deja de lado a los votantes latinos—y los tejanos merecen algo mejor.”
En los mapas propuestos, los latinos—que constituyen casi el 40% de la población de Texas—serían mayoría en solo 8 de los 38 distritos congresionales, apenas un quinto. Los distritos multirraciales se reducirían de nueve a cuatro.
Héctor Sánchez Barba, Presidente y Director Ejecutivo de Mi Familia Vota, señaló que el plan es un ataque directo al poder político latino: “Las familias latinas son la base del presente y futuro de Texas. Sin embargo, estos mapas engañan a nuestras comunidades y les niegan una representación justa. La Sección 2 de The Voting Rights Act es clara: no se puede diluir la fuerza electoral de las minorías. Los tribunales han invalidado mapas discriminatorios en Texas cada década durante los últimos 50 años, y este plan no será la excepción.”
Los senadores demuestran ejemplos en todo el estado donde los votantes de color son sistemáticamente debilitados:
Sur de Texas: Distritos latinos de larga trayectoria (TX-28, TX-34) son fragmentados y rediseñados como puestos con influencias republicanas.
Áreas urbanas: Votantes negros y latinos en Houston y Dallas estan concentrados en distritos demócratas ya seguros, limitando su influencia en otras zonas.
Centro de Texas: El condado Hays, un área diversa y en crecimiento, se divide entre dos distritos republicanos para diluir su peso electoral.
“Distritos de mayoría latina”: Nuevos distritos en Houston y San Antonio se trazan para aparentar que son de mayoría hispana, pero en realidad tienen una inclinación republicana de 10 a 15 puntos, lo que debilita el poder del voto colectivo.
“Cada década, los tribunales de Texas han anulado mapas por discriminación”, dijo el Senador Roland Gutierrez de San Antonio. “Este mapa no es diferente. Es un intento cínico de debilitar a las comunidades latinas, negras y asiáticas mientras los tejanos siguen esperando el alivio por las inundaciones que se les prometió.”
“Se trata de líderes que evaden su responsabilidad por políticas impopulares, desde recortes a la atención médica y la asistencia federal hasta el aumento de los costos para las familias trabajadoras”, continuó Gutierrez. “Los tejanos quieren líderes que se concentren en reconstruir y ayudar a las familias a salir adelante, no en reescribir mapas políticos para los intereses de Washington y los donantes multimillonarios.”
Texas Senate Democrats: 42 Days Without Flood Relief—Texans Deserve Action
AUSTIN, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statement after Gov. Greg Abbott called yet another special session:
“Texans have been clear about what they need right now: flood relief. That’s everyone’s priority. And Gov. Abbott has had the power to deliver relief funds to communities devastated by the July 4th floods using the same emergency budget authority that he’s used before—from Operation Lone Star to school safety. He does not need to wait for the Legislature to act. But it’s been 42 days, and Texans are still waiting. Let’s be clear: If the governor’s hands are tied, it’s because he has chosen to tie them himself.
“Mid-decade redistricting is not what Texans are asking for. This is not about fair representation. It’s about politicians manipulating maps to avoid accountability for unpopular policies that eliminate health care and food assistance for millions of Americans and for tariffs that raise the costs of living for working families. If they can get away with doing this now, they will set a precedent for politicians to redraw maps to pick their voters before every election, leaving voters with no real say at all.
“Texans want leaders who focus on rebuilding and helping families make ends meet, not on rewriting the political maps for the benefit of DC insiders and billionaire donors.
“We again call on Gov. Abbott to use his authority to provide emergency funds to address flood recovery and disaster preparedness now—and to stop holding it hostage for an unconstitutional redistricting scheme that robs millions of minority Texans of their vote.”
Texas Senate Democrats: Flood Relief, Not Cruelty
Texans need help recovering from floods—not the harshest abortion restrictions in the nation
AUSTIN, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 6, which attempts to criminalize women and threaten anyone who helps them obtain medication abortion:
“This special session should be about delivering flood relief to Texans in crisis, not attacking women and their families.
“Senate Bill 6 is not about protecting women’s health—it’s about control. It isolates women, intimidates families and hands new tools to abusers. It builds on the vigilante-style “bounty hunter” model, escalating it into a broad attack on personal freedom and the constitutional right to travel.
“Instead of making pregnancy safe, caring for women and strengthening health care, State leaders have chosen to spend more time adopting the harshest abortion restrictions in the nation. Texans deserve compassion and clarity, not cruelty and control—and Senate Democrats will always fight for the dignity and freedom of every Texan.”
Senate Democrats: Flood Relief Must Come Before Politics
AUSTIN, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement on the walkout following the consideration of S.B. 4:
Texans are clear—our top priority must be flood relief and disaster preparedness. Families devastated by the July 4 th floods cannot afford more delays. Governor Abbott has the power to move relief funds to survivors immediately using the same emergency budget authority he’s used many times—for his border wall, school safety and even to restore the legislature’s own funding. But now, he’s tying the passage of urgently needed relief to an unconstitutional redistricting plan.
Abbott could make an interim budget transfer right now to get help out the door—without legislation. He could call a new special session focused solely on flood relief and preparedness. He could even work to get FEMA funds released without a state match. But he won’t because he’s marching to the orders of DC bosses and billionaire donors, holding Texans hostage to their corrupt redistricting scheme.
This mid-decade redistricting isn’t about fair representation—it’s about politicians picking their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders. And it doesn’t stop here. If they can gerrymander now, they can and will do it before every election.
That’s why we walked out—because this session should only be about flood relief, and we refuse to engage in a corrupt process. Texans deserve leaders who put people over politics. We deserve a government that, at the very least, delivers in times of crisis.
State leaders have a choice: move the funds immediately or keep playing political games with Texans’ lives. If the special session ends without flood relief, Texans will know exactly who to blame—and it’s not the Democrats who are fighting for them.
Week In Review: Texas Senate Democrats in the News on the 60th Anniversary of the VRA
National and local news organizations have spotlighted Texas Senate Democrats taking a stand beyond state lines—highlighting their presence in Boston as a symbolic and strategic move to support House colleagues, call for action, and elevate their message on voting rights and redistricting.
On social media, clips show Texas lawmakers receiving a standing ovation in Boston’s State House—with videos of the applause and cheering garnering thousands of retweets and likes, with comments like “This is what democracy looks like” resonating widely. The term “Trumpmandering” is being used across X and Threads.
In Print
USA Today: Why Trump’s political war in Texas is much bigger than the Lone Star State
AP: Texas Democrats plea for donations to extend their walkout and block Trump’s redistricting plan
Washington Post: Texas election map fight swells into national political warfare
New York Times: Where the Redistricting Wars Might Go After Texas
The Hill: Watch: Texas Senate Dems rail against gerrymandering on Voting Rights Act anniversary
Boston Globe: Texas Governor Abbott threatened Democrats who fled state over redrawn voting maps. In Boston, they got a standing ovation.
Voz: Democrats who fled Texas denounce “trumpmandering” on anniversary of Voting Rights Act
WBUR (Boston): “A national alarm bell”: Texas Dems leave warning message as they depart Mass. amid walkout
WWLP (Springfield): Texas Democrats advocate in Massachusetts
State House News: Texas redistricting could spark chain reaction, Democrats say
Quorum Report: Texas Senate Democrats gather in Boston to rally against redistricting while a GOP colleague asks whether Chair Wu went back to China
POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Messing with Texas
On TV
NBC (Boston): “The people are watching”: Texas Dems speak from Boston amid redistricting fight
AP: LIVE: Texas Senate Democrats gather at Massachusetts Statehouse
WWLP (Boston): Texas Democrats advocate in Massachusetts
Spectrum News Austin: Texas State Lawmakers Left the State to Prevent a Quorum In the State Legislature
CBS (Waco): Texas Democrats Rally in Boston
NBC (San Diego): Texas State Lawmakers Hold Press Conference in Boston
CBS (Green Bay): Texas Dems Fight Back
ABC (Boston): Texas Democrats Hold Press Conference
Texas Senate Democrats Mark 60th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act With National Call to Action in Boston
BOSTON, MA – On the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, the Texas Senate
Democratic Caucus organized legislators from more than 35 states to reaffirm a simple but urgent truth: democracy only works when it includes all of us.
“Texas has long been ground zero in the fight for voting rights—from the poll tax and Jim Crow to the modern-day closures of polling places and criminalization of voting errors,” said Senator Carol Alvarado, Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus. “Since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, Texas has led the nation in passing laws designed to silence voters—especially Black, Latino, Asian and Indigenous Texans.”
Standing just steps away from the birthplace of the American Revolution, Texas lawmakers drew a direct line between the founding ideals of democracy and today’s coordinated assault on representative government.
“We came to Boston to remind America we don’t have a king here—we have a Constitution,” said Alvarado. “The spirit of rebellion that was born here lives in every community that refuses to be silenced. Texas will not go quietly into the night, and neither should you.”
The press conference highlighted the Texas GOP’s attempt to redraw congressional lines mid- decade, without new census data—at the demand of President Donald Trump.
“This isn’t redistricting,” Alvarado continued. “This is tyranny in real time. They’re manipulating maps because they can’t manipulate the will of the people. They’re suppressing voters instead of earning their trust. And in doing so, they’re shredding one of the last threads of faith the public has in our system of government.”
Senator Royce West of Dallas emphasized that what’s happening in Texas isn’t just partisan—it’s racial. “Let me give you some evidence,” he said. Referring to Downtown Dallas, West said, “When you have one of the districts that’s being packed with African Americans and all of the economic engines are being taken out… the business community in the African-American District…the healthcare centers, universities, law schools—is being carved out of [Black districts]. This is not about politics. This is about power—and race.”
West also pushed back on the false narrative that Texas legislators are fleeing their responsibilities. “We’re not fleeing. We’re doing just like Paul Revere did…we’re spreading the word… Redistricting is coming.”
Senator José Menéndez of San Antonio, Chair of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus, closed with a stark warning. “We have a man who says he’s entitled to five new congressional districts from Texas. When he was asked if he was thinking about running again, he said, “I haven’t made up my mind. That’s not democracy. That’s delusion.”
“I want you to think about all the Americans who have fought and died for free and fair elections–soldiers defending the right to vote in other countries,” Menéndez continued. “What do they think about us now?” he continued. “They are trying to say this is just partisan politics–but it’s not. This isn’t about party lines. It’s about right and wrong.”
As the special session in Texas continues, Senate Democrats say they remain focused on what really matters: ensuring that every Texan has a voice—and that every vote counts.
“Let’s be clear—this so-called mid-decade redistricting is nothing more than a modern-day poll tax,” said Senator Borris Miles of Houston. “It’s another way to discriminate against Black and Brown voters in the state of Texas. But this isn’t just about us—after Texas, it’ll be your state. After your state, it’ll be the entire country.”
Miles called on legislators, advocates, and communities nationwide to act before it’s too late.
“We stop it now. We stop him now. We keep our faith. We keep our fight. And together—we win.”
“On this 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act,” said Alvarado, “let us be as bold as those who marched in Selma. We will not go back. We will not be silent. And we will win.”
The Texas Democratic Senators in attendance were: Senator Carol Alvarado (Chair), Senator Nathan Johnson (Vice Chair), along with Senators César Blanco, Molly Cook, Sarah Eckhardt, Roland Gutierrez, José Menéndez, Borris Miles, and Royce West.
Statement from Texas Senate Democrats Attending NCSL
BOSTON, MA—Today, the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statement:
“Texas is on the frontlines of the fight for fair representation—and Texas Senate Democrats are bringing that fight to the national stage.
At this year’s National Conference of State Legislatures, our members are meeting with legal experts, community leaders and fellow lawmakers from across the country to tackle the most urgent challenges facing our communities from extreme weather emergency preparedness, access to health care and education. We are also here to raise awareness about the most urgent challenges facing our democracy, including mid-decade redistricting and voting rights.
It’s not just a Texas issue—it’s a national one. Other states like Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio and Florida are confronting the same coordinated effort to erase communities of color from the political map. We’re working side-by-side with allies to share strategies, build momentum and ensure that every voice counts.
This is about more than defending democracy—it’s about advancing it. And Texas Democrats are leading the way.
Stay tuned—there’s more action to come.”
Texas Senate Democratic Caucus Statement in Support of House Democrats’ Stand Against Rigged Redistricting
AUSTIN, TX—Today, the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statement applauding members of the House Democratic Caucus for denying quorum to protect Texans’ voting rights:
“We applaud our House colleagues for taking courageous action to defend the voting rights of all Texans. They’re using the power they have—and the only tool left to them—to stand up for the Texans they represent and protect the principle of fair elections for all.
“The contrast is stark. Texans need solutions—on flooding, health care, schools, jobs, the costs of housing and groceries. Yet, the House’s first scheduled floor vote this special session is on a rigged redistricting map that disenfranchises millions of voters, especially minorities. Not a single flooding bill has been heard in either chamber.
“This push to redraw lines is not only unnecessary, it completely ignores the real needs and priorities of the people we serve. Let’s be clear: We should be singularly focused this special session on flood relief, not redrawing maps to save a President from voters holding him and those who voted for an unpopular bill—cutting critical services for working families like Medicaid, CHIP & SNAP to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy—accountable.
“Breaking quorum is never done lightly. We take seriously our oath to represent our constituents. But when the system is being rigged to steal political power and ignore the needs of flood survivors, extraordinary measures are necessary. Our House colleagues are standing up for democracy, for the rule of law and for the millions of Texans who deserve to have their voices heard. We stand with them—and with every Texan who believes voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around.”
Texas Senate Democrats Denounce the GOP’s Proposed Racial Gerrymander
AUSTIN, TX—The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement in response to the proposed Congressional map in H.B. 4:
“We are ten days into a 30-day special session. What has become glaringly obvious is legislators were summoned to Austin to do Trump’s bidding—not to provide relief to Central Texas communities devastated by deadly floods, backstop the more than $1.3 trillion in cuts to health care and food benefits in the “Big Beautiful Bill” that in reality is a “Huge Horrible Bill” or consider any measure that would improve the daily lives of Texans. Neither chamber has had a hearing on a single bill to do so.
“Today, a proposed Congressional map was filed in the House. This follows an illegitimate redistricting process that disserves the people we are sworn to represent. The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting did not leave the Capitol for even one of its “regional” hearings. The committee heard only virtual testimony, refused to compel the attendance of a key DOJ official and did not submit a map for public comment.
“Unsurprisingly, the map that was published today is a racially and ethnically motivated gerrymander that reflects open hostility to minority Texans. The members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are closely reviewing the map to fully determine its implications. However, what is already clear is that this map is devastating for minorities, further reducing the number of districts where they can elect their candidate of choice. This map was drawn to fulfill Trump’s authoritarian vision at the expense of minorities.
“Texas’ current Congressional map is considered the most racially and ethnically gerrymandered map in the country. This new map continues that same policy of suppressing Black and Latino voters by packing and cracking their communities to dilute their votes.
“This redistricting scheme was never about ensuring fair representation. It was always about power. The Senate Democratic Caucus stands united in opposition.”
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.”