Texas Republicans on Monday vowed to “move quickly” with their plan to push through new congressional maps after state House Democrats ended their nearly three-week standoff by returning to the state.
“No one here needs a reminder that the last few weeks have been contentious, but from this point forward, the rules of engagement are clear: Debate is welcome, but personal attacks and name calling will not be tolerated,” Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said from the Texas House floor after gaveling the chamber back into session Monday afternoon.
“Let me also be clear about where we go from here,” he added. “We are done waiting. We have a quorum. Now is the time for action. We’ll move quickly, and the schedule [will] be demanding until our work is complete.”
The Democrats were met by a crowd of supporters applauding them upon their return Monday morning.
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“After rallying Americans to join this existential battle for democracy, we’re returning to Texas on our terms — ready to build the legal record needed to defeat these unconstitutional maps in court,” the state Democratic caucus posted on X.
Despite the drama surrounding the Democrats’ return, the day’s session lasted less than half an hour. The proposed redistricting plan is expected to go before the Congressional Redistricting Committee at 5 p.m. on Monday.
“We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape,” Rep. Gene Wu of Houston, chair of the House Democratic caucus, said in a statement to The Texas Tribune.
“We’re returning to Texas more dangerous to Republicans’ plans than when we left,” Wu continued. “Our return allows us to build the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court, take our message to communities across the state and country and inspire legislators across the country how to fight these undemocratic redistricting schemes in their own statehouses.”
Over the weekend, Senate Republicans advanced the redistricting map out of the Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting, setting up a vote before the full chamber.
The return of most Democrats on Monday means that the House will have enough members to reach quorum and likely advance the new map as well.
In a statement posted to social media after Monday’s session, House Democrat Jessica González said she returned to “do what I can to prevent Republicans from changing the rules so they can fast-track unconstitutional congressional maps, a discriminatory bathroom ban, and a ban on safe abortion medications.”
“Texans can take this promise to the bank: I will never aid Dustin Burrows in making or keeping a quorum,” González continued.
The full House is slated to meet again on Wednesday, with House Democrats under a form of a probation. They will only be allowed to leave “after agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated DPS [Department of Public Safety] officer appointment under the rules of the House” who would ensure their return on Wednesday, Burrows said.
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