Texas Democrats weighing whether to return to state and end redistricting standoff, sources tell CNN

By Arlette Saenz, Steve Contorno, CNN
(CNN) — Texas Democratic lawmakers are currently holding a members-only meeting and discussing next steps as they weigh how long to continue to remain out of the state and block a new congressional map, three sources close to the caucus told CNN.
The deliberations come as Texas Republicans signaled they intend to end the current special session on Friday and call a new one immediately after to continue pushing a new map that could net them 5 additional House seats.
Two people inside the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, told CNN that no decision has been made on whether to return to Texas. However, they are debating how much more they can accomplish by prolonging their self-imposed exile.
“Texas Democrats are looking at every possible option to ensure our constitution and our democracy are protected,” Rep. John Bucy said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. “Members are meeting over the next week to discuss our strategy and watch what is happening back home. We have consistently said that we are willing to go home if the governor puts people over politics. The ball is in the governor’s court.”
In a post on social media, Texas House Democrats said, “Members are still assessing their strategies going forward and are in meetings to make decisions about future plans currently.”
“If and when Texas House Democrats breaking quorum decide to go home is squarely dependent on the actions the Governor, Speaker, and Texas Republicans in charge make with regard to prioritizing flood victims over redistricting that hurts Texans,” the post continued.
The current special session to address redistricting, flood relief and other issues is set to end on August 19, with Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows setting a Friday deadline for Democrats to return to meet quorum.
If a quorum is not reached by then, the Texas House and Senate will “sine die the session,” marking the end of the special session, Burrows said. The governor’s office said the new one would begin that same day.
“With the Texas House and Senate today announcing they are prepared to sine die on Friday, I will call the Texas Legislature back immediately for Special Session #2,” Abbott said in a statement.
“The Special Session #2 agenda will have the exact same agenda, with the potential to add more items critical to Texans. There will be no reprieve for the derelict Democrats who fled the state and abandoned their duty to the people who elected them. I will continue to call special session after special session until we get this Texas first agenda passed,” the statement said.
This headline and story have been updated with additional developments.
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