(NewsNation) — The fight over a proposed redistricting in Texas has spread as Texas Democrats fled the state to prevent a vote on a new map that would give Republicans an advantage in the 2026 midterm election.
Texas Democratic Chair Kendall Scudder joined NewsNation and addressed allegations that Democrats have abandoned their duties.
“It’s silly and kind of rich to hear these Republicans complain about people leaving when just not too long ago, [House Speaker] Mike Johnson had all of the Republicans leave Washington so they wouldn’t have to vote on releasing the Epstein files,” he said. “So it’s a procedural mechanism that’s used regularly, and we’re here to use it, and it’s our legal right to do that as a party.”
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the civil arrest of the absent Democrats, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he would like to see the FBI involved in making them return to the state.
“There is no grounds for the FBI to get involved whenever legislators aren’t attending votes. I mean, that’s absolutely silly,” Scudder said. “They’re just trying to drum up as much controversy here as they can to keep their base happy. The reality is, this is the last tool that the Democrats in Texas have, and we’re planning on using it.”
Scudder also said it was time for the Democrats to stand up and fight against what they have called a threat to democracy.
“I’m sick and tired of the Democrats just taking punches and not throwing them. This is an opportunity that we have to fight back, and we intend to do it,” he said.
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Blue states have suggested they will do their own redistricting if Texas goes ahead with the plan. Some of those states are already gerrymandered to benefit Democrats.
Scudder rejected accusations of hypocrisy and noted that in 2001, there was a bill in Congress to create federal, nonpartisan redistricting committees to draw fair maps for the entire nation.
“Every Democrat voted in favor of it, every Republican voted against it. If Democrats had their way, we would have fair districts across the entire country,” Sudder said.
