Texas Democrats fly home from Illinois, clearing way for Republicans to call vote on redistricting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Texas Democrats who had been staying in Illinois to prevent a vote on new congressional maps returned to the Lone Star State on Monday.

This clears the way for Republicans to call a vote on the redistricting plan that could give them five additional seats in Congress.

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The quorum break fight is over, but the battle against the new maps is not.

Those absent Democrats went back home to a rousing welcome for the stance they took against a rare mid-decade restricting move.

Supporters chanted and cheered while holding signs saying, "Put Texans First" as the lawmakers made their way to the chamber. This is their first day back since flying to Chicago on Aug. 3, and they say their fight is far from over.

SEE ALSO | Abbott asks court to remove Texas Democrat from office after he left for Illinois over redistricting

"The previous maps were already in court, and so the new map is clearly unconstitutional and illegal, so we'll fight them in court," said Democratic Texas state Rep. Jon Rosenthal.

On Monday morning, the lawmakers boarded a jet at O'Hare shortly after 7 a.m., ending what had been a 15-day hiatus in Illinois. They came here to prevent a quorum in the Texas House and stall a vote on new maps.

Republicans are pushing the redistricting to help President Donald Trump gain seats in Congress and maintain a razor-thin Republican majority in 2026.

Two of the legislators paused to take a selfie before taking off for Texas.

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Just after noon, the Texas House speaker convened the second special session, but only about half of the absent Democrats were present.

No votes were taken on Monday. The new maps first have to go to committee, but Democrats are bracing for a vote in the days ahead.

"The path forward is to put the people of Texas first. And put Donald Trump's political power grabs to the wayside," said Texas House Democrats Vice Chair and state Rep. Miheala Plesa

While the Democrats cannot prevent the maps from being approved, they will be taking their fight to the courts.

"I have never seen the Republicans in this building, particularly the governor, do the right thing. So, I know that they are going to go all out to try and pass these maps. We are going to fight back. But the question is whether or not these maps become law," said Texas state Rep. Erin Zweiner.

On Monday, California Democrats introduced legislation spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would redraw maps there. If approved by voters, it would flip five GOP Congressional seats to the Democrats and counter what's in the works in Texas.

SEE ALSO | California moving forward with partisan redistricting effort to counter Texas' move