(NewsNation) — Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the last two nights sleeping in the Texas state Capitol in protest of redistricting efforts by Republicans.
Collier, joined by her Democratic colleagues, is calling for Republican lawmakers to prioritize flood relief instead of creating a new electoral map.
“We believe flood legislation should be first. We need to focus on providing the assistance and help that Texans need. Not doing what Trump has instructed,” Collier said.
Weeks after heavy rains caused devastating floods over the Fourth of July weekend, some communities in central Texas are still struggling. The floods left at least 135 people dead, and officials are still searching for two people who remain missing. Many families and businesses are working to find the funds needed to rebuild.
Texas Capitol grounds closed after threat posted ahead of protest
Collier said her decision to sleep in the Capitol was in response to troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety being ordered by House Speaker Dustin Burrows to provide “around-the-clock escorts” for lawmakers after Democrats fled the state to block a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting proposal earlier this month.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m not a criminal. So, there’s no reason for me or my democratic colleagues to be in the custody of the Department of Public Safety,” Collier said.
First domino in national redistricting fight likely to fall with Texas GOP poised for vote on maps
Collier told “NewsNation Live” on Wednesday that there was no legitimate reason Republicans should be seeking a mid-decade change to the map.
“Let the people decide who they want to represent them, that’s all we are asking. We want fair maps, fair elections,” Collier said. “We saw that there was an introduction of legislation at the federal level to prohibit mid-decade redistricting, and I’m all for that.”
The proposed map would give Republicans in Texas five more seats in next year’s midterm elections.
