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.”