Texas Democrat Protests New Redistricting Rules by Sleeping in Capitol

Protest Against Redistricting Rules

• 📌 State Representative Nicole Collier, a Democrat, is protesting new rules by Texas Republican leadership by remaining in the Capitol building for a second night.
• 🏛️ Collier refused a police escort mandated by Republican leadership, choosing instead to sleep in the empty House chamber.

Democratic Walkout and New Rules

• 🚶‍♀️ Collier was one of dozens of Democrats who previously fled Texas to derail a Republican-backed plan to redraw congressional maps, intended to benefit US President Donald Trump's campaign.
• 📝 Upon their return, Democrats faced new rules requiring them to sign permission slips for police custody to monitor their movements, ensuring attendance for a special redistricting session.
• 🗣️ Democrats have called these new rules unjustified.

Solidarity and Opposition

• 🤝 Approximately two dozen supporters joined Collier's protest, chanting for her release.
• ✊ Other Democratic colleagues have pledged to join Collier overnight in solidarity, with some tearing up their permission slips.

Republican Accusations and Redistricting Goals

• ⚖️ Texas's Republican House Speaker accused Collier and other Democrats of shirking their duties and delaying important business beyond redistricting.
• 🎯 The Republican plan aims to flip five Democratic-held seats in the US House of Representatives in the November 2026 midterm elections.

Broader Political Response

• 📣 Texas Democrats' walkout, while delaying the redistricting action, provided time to organize a countermeasure led by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
• 🌐 Newsom's