Democratic Texas state representative Nicole Collier is making headlines by spending the night on the Texas House floor in a bold protest against Republican demands for increased oversight by the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). Her actions come after a tumultuous period when Texas House Democrats previously fled the state to block a controversial Republican redistricting plan.
Upon their return to the Capitol in Austin on Monday, the Democratic representatives encountered strict limitations imposed by House Speaker Dustin Burrows. According to Burrows, the Democrats were only permitted to leave the House floor with written permission and under law enforcement escort until the chamber reconvenes on Wednesday morning. This move is part of a broader GOP strategy to secure a quorum necessary for voting on newly redrawn congressional maps, which many Democrats believe are designed to favor Republican candidates.
Since earlier this month, some Democratic lawmakers have evaded attempts to meet the required quorum by fleeing to states like Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts. Their departure was a direct response to civil arrest warrants issued by GOP officials in Texas aiming to force them back into the House chamber. While most Democrats complied with the law enforcement escort, showcasing “permission slips” to the media, Collier stood firm and chose not to accept these conditions. Instead, she has remained on the House floor, with limited movement allowed only under police supervision.
Collier's resolve has drawn support from fellow Texas State Representatives Gene Wu and Vince Perez, who plan to stay with her overnight on the House floor. Wu even shared a photo on social media, displaying their snacks—dried peaches, freeze-dried grapes, popcorn, and ramen—indicating their commitment to this protest. Collier expresses her determination, stating, “My constituents sent me to Austin to protect their voices and rights. I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts.”
The current redistricting efforts in Texas have significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections. The GOP aims to gain five additional Republican-leaning seats, a move that has stirred controversy and accusations of gerrymandering. In response to these aggressive tactics, Beto O’Rourke, a prominent Texas Democrat, praised Collier’s stand on social media, calling her “a true hero” for resisting what he termed fascist tactics.
This effort to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, a departure from the typical once-a-decade practice following the US Census, has sparked a nationwide discussion on gerrymandering. Democrats in states like California are already considering retaliatory measures. Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a new redistricting measure that could help Democrats gain five more House seats, contingent upon Texas proceeding with its redistricting plan.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Texas House was able to establish a quorum on Monday for the first time in 15 days. This development indicates that the political battle over redistricting in Texas is far from over, with implications that could resonate across the country.
