Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called a second special legislative session to advance key priorities after Democrat lawmakers’ failed stunt to block a GOP-led redistricting plan.
Abbott announced the new session in a memo posted Friday.
GOP Agenda Moves Forward
Abbott said the legislature will immediately take up legislation to:
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Approve a new congressional redistricting plan creating five additional GOP-leaning House seats.
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Regulate hemp-derived products.
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Cut property taxes for Texas families.
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Provide storm relief funding for recovery from severe weather earlier this summer.
“I will continue to use all necessary tools to ensure Texas delivers results for Texans,” Abbott said in his announcement.
Democrats’ Walkout Fizzles
The first special session expired Friday without progress after House Democrats fled to states like New York and Illinois in an effort to block the redistricting measure. The plan already cleared the Texas Senate earlier this week and is expected to pass the House once Democrats return.
Politico reported Thursday that the Democrats are preparing to return under two conditions: that the first special session be adjourned (which has now happened), and that California Democrats introduce their own gerrymander to offset GOP gains.
Abbott Slams Democrats for Blocking Relief
Abbott’s office noted that the Democrats’ walkout also delayed important bills, including flood relief funding. Online critics blasted the stunt as a betrayal of Texas residents. One viral post summed it up: “DEFEAT: Texas Democrats block flood relief as Special Session expires. No quorum. No redistricting.”
California Democrats Plot Countermove
Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has hinted at using aggressive redistricting to offset Texas gains — another example of Democrats crying foul over GOP-led maps while embracing gerrymanders of their own.
GOP Expected to Prevail
Despite the obstruction, Republicans are poised to approve the redistricting measure in the new session, strengthening their control in the House of Representatives. Democrats’ walkout will go down as a costly delay that changed nothing in the outcome.
