Every two years, all members of the U.S. House of Representatives must stand for re-election. In 2026, the midterm elections will once again determine control of Congress. Currently, the Republican Party holds only a slim majority in the House, and GOP leaders are worried about losing power next year.
In response, President Trump reportedly contacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott, urging him to redraw Texas’s congressional map in order to secure up to five additional Republican seats. Acting on the request, Governor Abbott called a special legislative session, placing redistricting squarely on the agenda.
GOP Appeasing Trump's Wishes
The Texas GOP has the votes to approve the new map but only if a quorum is present. To block the effort, Democratic members of the Texas House left the state about two weeks ago, traveling to blue states like California, New York, and Massachusetts. Without their presence, the legislature was unable to vote. Abbott then called a second special session beginning August 15, 2025.
When some Democratic representatives returned to Texas for the session, they were told they could not leave the State Capitol unless they signed a “permission slip” and submitted to round-the-clock monitoring by assigned Department of Public Safety officers. All Democratic members who returned signed, except Representative Nicole Collier of Fort Worth’s 95th District.
Rep Collier's Principled Sleepover
Collier, in multiple national media interviews, explained that her conscience would not allow her to sign. She has not broken any laws, she argues, and because she was present for Monday’s session, she should be free to come and go as she chooses. The legislature, however, has taken the extraordinary step of physically preventing her from leaving the Capitol.
Photos circulated nationally show Representative Collier sleeping at her desk overnight in the House chamber. She has now filed a writ of habeas corpus, asking the courts to rule that the legislature is unlawfully detaining her.
No Limits To Retain Power
This unprecedented turn of events has drawn national attention. It has raised fundamental questions about constitutional rights, legislative overreach, and the extreme measures of the Texas GOP. Obviously, MAGA and the Trump administration are willing to go to extreme measures to hold onto power.
Stay tuned for updates.
