Summary
Democratic state lawmakers from Texas left the state to prevent a vote on a new congressional map that could benefit Republicans. They need to stay away to stop the vote because a certain number of lawmakers must be present for it to happen. The new map could give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Key Facts
- Texas Democrats left the state to block a vote on a new congressional map.
- The map could help Republicans keep their majority in the U.S. House.
- Texas requires two-thirds of its House members for a vote to take place.
- 51 Democratic lawmakers went to Chicago to stop the vote from happening.
- They plan to stay away for two weeks, until the legislative session ends.
- Each absent lawmaker may face a $500 fine for each day they stay away.
- The Texas Attorney General threatened to arrest lawmakers who left.
- The map includes changes in several districts, such as the Rio Grande Valley.
