Texas State Representative Nicole Collier, a Democrat from Fort Worth, asserts she is being unlawfully confined within the Texas House chamber. She remained there overnight on Monday and may continue to do so for several days until the matter is resolved.
Collier was among a group of Democratic lawmakers who left the state earlier this month to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan supported by former President Donald Trump, which could impact the 2026 midterm elections. While some representatives returned for the second special session, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (Republican) is now requiring state troopers to escort them when they leave the House chamber to prevent another walkout.
Collier has stated her refusal to comply with this requirement.
“I will not compromise my dignity as an elected representative by allowing Republicans to control my movements and monitor me with police escorts,” Collier stated.
She added, “My constituents sent me to Austin to defend their voices and rights. Knowing these maps will negatively impact my constituents when I vote, I refuse to silently accept their intimidation or discrimination.”
Proposed Texas maps kicked off interstate redistricting fight
Texas GOP leaders have criticized the absent Democrats for “abandoning their duties.” Earlier this month, Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated a lawsuit to remove 13 representatives from office for their absence on August 8. Governor Greg Abbott also requested the Texas Supreme Court to vacate the seat of House Democratic leader Gene Wu. Litigation is ongoing, but it is unclear how the members’ return will affect the lawsuits.
Nevertheless, passage of the redistricting plan seems likely. The Texas Senate redistricting committee approved the maps on Sunday, and the Republican-controlled Senate could vote on the plan as early as Wednesday.
“We understood that we couldn’t stop this,” said Rep. Ramon Romero, another Democrat who left the state. “However, we could delay it, and that’s what we accomplished.”
Texas Republicans were invigorated by the return of the Democrats. “Representatives come and go. Issues rise and fall. But this body has endured wars, economic depressions and quorum breaks dating back to the very first session,” Burrows stated during Monday’s session. “We are done waiting. We have a quorum. Now is the time for action.”
Trump posted on Truth Social, “Please pass this Map, ASAP.” Trump had previously suggested involving the FBI to bring back the representatives.
The Democrats’ return to the state follows California’s announcement of a plan to counter the Texas Republicans’ efforts. Several other states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and Ohio, have also become involved. Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years after the U.S. Census, which was last conducted in 2020. However, Trump and his allies began pushing for Republican states to redraw their congressional lines earlier to gain an advantage in the upcoming midterms.
“Now that the nation is engaged in this fight, some Texas Democrats are coming back to fight these racist maps in the legislature and then in the courts,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder said in a statement on Monday. “Texans can see that the Republicans would rather serve Trump than serve the interests of Texans.”
Wu told the media that the Democrats will contest the legality of the maps. However, many Democrats expressed concerns on Monday.
“Even if California and New York redistrict and successfully get rid of Republicans, that doesn’t help my district,” Rep. Jolanda Jones, who did not return to Texas, told the media. “We will lose one Black seat in Houston and one Black seat in Dallas. That’s unacceptable.”
Collier alleges “illegal confinement”
Collier reported to the media that she could either go to her office with a police escort and DPS officers stationed outside or remain inside the chamber. She told the Fort Worth Report that she is unsure how long she will remain there.
Collier has filed a petition to a Travis County court alleging “illegal confinement.” Another Democratic representative, Ann Johnson, signed the permission slip but remained with Collier for a period after objecting to being followed by an officer. Johnson eventually left the chamber.
“This is yet another demonstration of authority and power over people of color, over people who resist,” Collier stated, who is the former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. “This exercise, this requirement that we be trailed by DPS officers who could be out there fighting crime is not only a waste of taxpayer dollars but is also offensive to the dignity of each one of us who has been elected by our constituents to come here and fight.”
Collier’s action has garnered support from Democrats across the state and nation.
“As a former Texas State Rep, let me be clear: LOCKING Rep. Nicole Collier inside the chamber is beyond outrageous,” U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D, Texas) posted on X. “Forcing elected officials to sign ‘permission slips’ and take police escorts to leave? That’s not procedure. That’s some old Jim Crow playbook.”
Democratic state senator Roland Gutierrez, who visited Collier in the chamber, shared a video of supporters gathered inside the Texas Capitol building chanting, “Let her out.”
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