Dozens of Texas Democrats fled to California, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York to delay approval of redrawn congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump. Upon their return, Republicans required Democrats to sign a half-page form allowing Department of Public Safety troopers to escort them around the clock. Rep. Nicole Collier refused to sign and remained on the House floor for two days with a livestream. Other Democrats reported plainclothes officers following them to offices and homes. Dallas-area Rep. Linda Garcia described an officer following her home and accompanying her in grocery aisles. Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered the trooper assignments amid a nationwide redistricting battle.
Collier was among dozens of Democrats who left the state for the Democratic havens of California, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York to delay the Republican-controlled Legislature's approval of redrawn congressional districts sought by President Donald Trump. When they returned Monday, Republicans insisted that Democrats have around-the-clock police escorts to ensure they wouldn't leave again and scuttle Wednesday's planned House vote on a new political map.
Dallas-area Rep. Linda Garcia said she drove three hours home from Austin with an officer following her. When she went grocery shopping, he went down every aisle with her, pretending to shop, she said. As she spoke to The Associated Press by phone, two unmarked cars with officers inside were parked outside her home. "It's a weird feeling," she said. "The only way to explain the entire process is: It's like I'm in a movie."
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