The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 22, 2025
Two dozen Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent a quorum in the Texas House returned to the chamber August 18th, resulting in the August 20th passage of further gerrymandered Congressional districts requested by President Donald Trump. Passage by the Senate is expected by the weekend.
Over 50 legislators traveled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, delaying passage of the bill for two weeks, and running out the clock on the special session. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued arrest warrants and the FBI mobilized to find them, to no avail, protected by their host states. State officials even petitioned the state supreme court to remove some from office.
In a state known for embracing freedom, House Speaker Dustin Burrows required the returning Democratic legislators to sign a permission slip and be escorted by an officer of the Texas Department of Safety, or not be allowed to leave the House chambers. State Representative Nicole Collier chose to sleep in the House chambers, saying in a statement, “I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts.”
Now that the manipulated maps gerrymandering five more GOP Congressional districts have cleared the Texas House, passage is expected in the state senate by the weekend, and the bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Will Texas and Ohio Redraw Congressional Districts Before the 2026 Midterms?
American Democracy Minute – Texas Legislature Blocked From Enacting Manipulated Congressional Redistricting Maps as 50 Democrats Flee the State and Possible Arrest
KUT Public Radio – The Texas House just passed a new district map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress
Texas Tribune – Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout
The 19th – How Rep. Nicole Collier’s Capitol protest sparked solidarity among these Texas women
Seattle Medium – Texas Representative Rep. Nicole Collier Files A Writ of Habeas Corpus Saying Texas Republicans Detained Her At State Capitol
Groups Taking Action:
Fair Maps Texas, Common Cause TX, Represent.Us Texas
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #TexasGerrymandering #FairMaps #EndGerrymandering #DonaldTrump