Democratic lawmakers left the state of Texas on Aug. 3 in a dramatic escalation meant to block the consideration of a bill to redraw the state’s congressional maps, intended to increase Republicans’ hold on the lower chamber.
“This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity,” said Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, in a statement.
The move is intended as a last-ditch attempt to block Republicans from holding a vote on legislation to redraw several Democratic districts in the state to be more favorable to Republicans. Democrats have threatened such a walkout for weeks as their only option to prevent passage of the legislation through the Republican-dominated state government….