Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced a second special session on Friday after state lawmakers gaveled out their first special session earlier in the morning amid the ongoing redistricting fight.
“Delinquent House Democrats ran away from their responsibility to pass crucial legislation to benefit the lives of Texans,” Abbott said in a statement.
“Numerous other bills to cut property taxes, support human trafficking survivors, eliminate the STAAR test, establish commonsense THC regulations, and many others have all been brought to a halt because Democrats refuse to show up for work,” he explained. “We will not back down from this fight. That’s why I am calling them back today to finish the job. I will continue to use all necessary tools to ensure Texas delivers results for Texans.”
The special session, which is expected to begin around 1 p.m. EDT, includes redistricting on its agenda.
Texas state Democrats are expected to return soon, noting two conditions had to be met before arriving back to the Lone Star State: Texas Republicans adjourning their first special session and California’s introduction of new congressional lines aimed at neutralizing the expected gains from Texas’s proposed House map.
Earlier Friday, lawmakers from the Texas House and Senate adjourned, ending their first 30-day special session. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (D) suggested to lawmakers they remain nearby because the governor was expected to call a second special session soon.
Texas Democrats sought to make Texas Republicans’ gaveling out a win, with the state House caucus writing in a post on the social platform X “BREAKING: After we issued our conditions to return home yesterday, Texas Republicans have given in and ended their corrupt special session.”
“@GregAbbott_TX can release flood funding at ANY MOMENT. Call his office and tell him to stop the delays: (512) 463-1782,” it added.
Texas Republicans, however, were already expected to gavel out their first session on Friday because special sessions only last 30 days maximum.
Once Democrats are back in the Lone Star State, they’ll be able to pass their House maps in the state House before sending them to Abbott for his signature.
Updated at 12:46 p.m. EDT.
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