Former President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind Texas House Democrats who left the state to block a controversial redistricting bill that could give Republicans even more control in Congress.
“I am so proud of the Texas House Democrats and the work that they’ve done,” Obama said in a video call with the lawmakers on Thursday. “Their willingness to put themselves on the line to highlight the current assault on our democracy has set an example for what all of us have to do.”
The Democrats left Texas to stop the GOP-controlled legislature from pushing through a redistricting plan that experts say could hand Republicans five more seats in the U.S. House. With only a seven-seat majority currently, that could tilt the 2026 midterms firmly in the GOP’s favor.
The Democrats have scattered across blue states like Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts to avoid arrest and force a legislative standstill. Their move has paralyzed the Texas Legislature, where Republicans need a quorum to move forward with any bills.
Obama’s message to the group was clear: “We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by… because of your actions, because of your courage… California is responding, other states are looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering.”
The official Texas House Democrats account shared a photo from the video call and posted: “Your words reminded us why we broke quorum: Democracy isn’t self-executing. It requires us to stand up and fight for it. We’re honored by your support.”
Obama reposted the message and added his own: “You’ve helped set the tone… I’m grateful for it.”
The redistricting standoff is becoming a national issue. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he’s considering launching his own redistricting effort to “offset the rigging” by Texas Republicans.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu was blunt: “Texas House Democrats refuse to give [Gov. Greg Abbott] a quorum to pass his racist maps that silence more than 2 million Black and Latino Texans.”
Texas Republicans are fuming. Governor Abbott called the Democrats “derelict” and threatened to keep calling special sessions “until we get this Texas first agenda passed.” Speaker Dustin Burrows warned the chamber may shut down Friday if Democrats don’t return.
A judge in Illinois rejected a push from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to detain the lawmakers, saying there was no legal basis.
Texas Democrats say they won’t return until two things happen: the special session ends and California acts to counter Texas’s map. Until then, they’re not budging.
Abbott fired back on X, mocking their demands: “How embarrassing. Texas Democrats mailing in their ‘demands’… FROM CHICAGO. Come back and fight like Texans rather than running and hiding like cowards.”
The redistricting fight has stalled dozens of other bills, including critical flood response legislation after deadly storms killed more than 130 Texans in July.
