Abbott Vows Endless Special Sessions Until Texas Democrats Give In

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that he will continue to call special legislative sessions until a new congressional map is approved, warning Democrats who broke quorum that they would have to stay away for years to block it. In an interview, Abbott said Democrats might not return until 2027 or 2028 if they want to avoid a vote, since he plans to keep the same agenda in every special session.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

The fight comes after more than 50 Texas Democrats left the state to stop a Republican-backed map that could give the GOP up to five more U.S. House seats. The push follows former President Donald Trump’s call for GOP-led states to redraw maps to strengthen the party’s hold on Congress, with Democratic states like California promising countermeasures.

Abbott has tried several ways to bring Democrats back, from working with the FBI to seek their arrest, even though no federal laws were broken, to efforts to remove them from office. He said the state will use “every tool” to hold what he called “runaway Democrats” accountable.