Former Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday said Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, who has spent the past two nights inside the Texas Capitol after she was barred from leaving the building over her refusal to agree to 24-hour police surveillance, is “among those who history will reveal to have been heroes of this moment.”
In a video posted on social media by the Texas House Democrats, Harris can be heard praising Collier for taking a stand against the GOP, calling her actions “inspiring.”
“I just want you to know that you are among those who history will reveal to have been heroes of this moment, so you just stay strong and do what you are doing,” Harris said. “You have the right instinct. You are talented and you are principled.”
Collier said she was “overwhelmed” by Harris’ outreach.
“The fact that she is watching what we’re doing right now in this moment means that we are making a difference,” Collier said after wrapping up her call with Harris. “What we do matters. People are watching and they are ready to hold this government accountable. Get fired up, get ready, and vote.”
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Collier was among the 50 Democrats who fled Texas on Aug. 3 to block Republicans from passing a new congressional map sought by President Donald Trump to give the GOP five additional Republican-friendly seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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The majority of the Democrats who left Texas returned to the state Monday and faced prompt retaliation from the GOP. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, said each Democratic legislator would be required to sign a “permission slip” agreeing to have an around-the-clock police escort to ensure they attended votes to pass the new map.
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Collier refused to follow the order and was, as a result, locked on the House floor with armed guards keeping her there. She was told she is also allowed in her office in the building. The legislator has filed a writ of habeas corpus, saying the situation she faces amounts to illegal confinement.
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Collier was accompanied by House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu and Rep. Vince Perez on Monday evening with more Democrats — including Reps. Penny Morales Shaw and Mihaela Plesa, who tore up her “permission slip” before the cameras — joining her the next night.
Morales Shaw told NBC News that she regretted initially following Republicans’ orders.
“Nicole was right. We should not have submitted to this,” she said. “I cannot support this very low and bad precedent for all future legislators.”
A vote on the redistricting plan is now expected to take place Wednesday with Trump being widely expected to get his wish.
Texas Republicans’ ploy prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to announce a ballot initiative, asking California voters to approve early congressional redistricting if the Lone Star State goes forward with its own redistricting plan.
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