AUSTIN, Texas – In a dramatic turn of events, Texas Senate Democrats staged a walkout on Tuesday, challenging Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to prioritize redistricting over urgent flood relief for the state’s devastated communities.
SEE ALSO: Texas Supreme Court won’t rule for weeks on GOP requests to expel Democrats who left the state
The move follows the example of House Representatives and their ongoing legal battle, where several democratic members fled the state in protest of unfair redistricting efforts.
Governor Abbott called the current session with an extensive agenda that included disaster relief for floods that killed more than 130 people. Democrats balked when Abbott added Trump’s redistricting idea to the agenda.
Sen. Carol Alvardo, the chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, stood with eight of her Senate colleagues after they left the Senate floor, noting the priority should be focused on flood legislation, not mid-decade redistricting.
“We stand in solidarity with our House Democrat brothers and sisters,” Alvarado said. “We’re using every tool that we have to demonstrate our opposition, our protest, and again, our solidarity.”
Of all the things on today’s agenda in the Texas Senate, the first bill Republicans brought to the floor isn’t to address flooding.
— Senator Sarah Eckhardt (@SarahEckhardtTX) August 12, 2025
It’s the one to pick voters out for next year’s midterm election.
This isn’t why I came to work today. So, I just walked out. #txlege
“We’re standing outside the civil rights room, which metaphorically is locked in the context here of silencing voices and attacking the democratic process,” Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas added. “They’re attacking the foundations of democracy.”
House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Tuesday did not mention redistricting but chided Democrats for not showing up for debate on the flood response package.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate, also shared the following statement:
“Today and tomorrow, the Texas Senate will pass the remaining bills on Gov. Abbott’s special session call, including the new congressional map, which adds 5 new Republican congressional districts, and essential legislation related to the July 4th flooding across Texas.
“House Democrats have made their point and now face a choice. They should return from their ‘vacation’ before Friday and pass the bills on the governor’s special session call. If not, the Texas Senate will adjourn Sine Die on Friday so Gov. Abbott can immediately call us back for another special session. This will continue in perpetuity.
“Let me be clear: the Texas Senate will pass the bills on Gov. Abbott’s special session call over, and over, and over again until the House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ to do the people’s business. The decision is theirs.”
Texas Republicans have issued civil warrants for the absent House Democrats. Because they are out of state, those lawmakers are beyond the reach of Texas authorities.
RELATED: How Texas Democrats’ walkout has launched a fight across the US over political maps
Burrows said Tuesday that absent Democrats would have to pay for all state government costs for law enforcement officials attempting to track them down. Burrows has said state troopers and others have run up “six figures in overtime costs” trying to corral Democratic legislators.
Senator Molly Cook also noted she would not walk back into the Senate chamber.
“Texas Republicans right now are pushing through their hyper-partisan agenda ... and they couldn’t even symbolically put flooding first today,” she said. “Texans are sick and tired of the political games ... we are here to say, ‘stop it.’ Stop the mid-decade redistricting ... put flooding first.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
