Greg Abbott
Texas House Passes “One Big Beautiful Map” in GOP Victory
The Texas House approved a sweeping new congressional redistricting plan on Wednesday. Republicans call it “One Big Beautiful Map.” In an 88–52 party-line vote, lawmakers passed House Bill 4, a plan designed to strengthen GOP control and deliver up to five additional congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Governor Greg Abbott praised the win on X. “Congrats to the Texas House on passing the One Big Beautiful Map. It will make Texas, and Congress, a brighter shade of Red.” House Speaker Dustin Burrows said, “The Texas House today delivered legislation to redistrict certain congressional districts to address concerns raised by the Department of Justice and ensure fairness and accuracy in Texans’ representation in Congress… This work has helped us deliver the legal, remedied maps Texas voters deserve.” Rep. Tony Tinderholt framed the outcome more bluntly: “Democrats broke quorum to try and stop us—but they FAILED. Texas now has a big, beautiful map, legally adding 5 more Republican seats.” Democrats broke quorum to try and stop us—but they FAILED. Texas now has a big, beautiful map, legally adding 5 more Republican seats. A huge win for all Republicans! #txlege pic.twitter.com/RhXvL0L191 — Rep. Tony Tinderholt (@reptinderholt) August 20, 2025 The Map Democrats Couldn’t Stop The new map redraws districts in Dallas, Houston, and other fast-growing areas. Republicans say it ensures fairness, accuracy, and compliance with federal requirements. Democrats tried to delay or derail the measure with a dozen amendments, including one pushing implementation to 2028 and another tying it to an independent redistricting commission. One amendment even attempted to block the map until the federal government released unrelated files about Jeffrey Epstein. All were defeated. (RELATED NEWS: Texas Dems Flee to Stop Redistricting Map) Republicans stayed united, rejecting every amendment and moving HB 4 to a quick vote. Conservatives say the map will “ungerrymander the gerrymandered” and help secure a stronger GOP majority in Washington. The Walkout That Backfired The vote followed the dramatic return of Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas two weeks earlier to block the bill. More than 50 Democrats traveled to Chicago to deny the House a quorum, halting business in Austin. Their absence drew national headlines, but the tactic failed. During the standoff, Speaker Burrows issued arrest warrants for absent members. He warned that Democrats who came back would only be allowed to leave the chamber under strict conditions, including release into the custody of Department of Public Safety officers who would ensure their return. Rep. Nicole Collier refused to sign the required permission slip and camped out in the chamber instead of going home. The walkout also carried financial costs. Democrats faced $500 fines for each missed day and had their pay withheld. By the time they returned, pressure from penalties and threats of arrest forced them back into the chamber, where Republicans swiftly advanced the map. Governor Abbott is now calling for added penalties and punishments for legislators who willfully leave during a session. Will they face prosecution? Attorney General Ken Paxton says, “We made that argument about 13 of the legislators… and we will be in front of the Texas Supreme Court.” WILL TX DEMS WHO FLED THE REDISTRICTING FIGHT FACE PROSECTUION?@KenPaxtonTX: “We made that argument about 13 of the legislators… and we will be in front of the Texas Supreme Court.” pic.twitter.com/Q2ymO9b6tz — The Will Cain Show (@WillCainShow_) August 20, 2025 Democrats Spin, Republicans Deliver Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu tried to cast the quorum break as a success, claiming it “rallied Democrats nationwide” and “reshaped the 2026 landscape.” But Republicans say the numbers tell the real story: Democrats delayed the inevitable and returned to pass the very map they tried to block. Conservatives frame the episode as proof of GOP discipline. Democrats relied on theatrics, while Republicans held the line, complied with legal requirements, and delivered results. What’s Next The bill still needs a vote from the full Texas Senate, but it is expected to pass overwhelmingly. Democrats will undoubtedly challenge the map in court, claiming it discriminates against minority voters. Republicans say HB 4 is constitutional, remedies DOJ concerns, and will stand up to scrutiny. (MORE NEWS: Phone Scrolling: The Top 10 States and Hidden Costs) For conservatives, the fight was about more than lines on a map. It also showed how far Democrats will go to block legislation. In the end, Republicans prevailed. For Republicans, the “One Big Beautiful Map” is a win and a promise of more victories to come. Expose the Spin. Shatter the Narrative. Speak the Truth. At The Modern Memo, we don’t cover politics to play referee — we swing a machete through the spin, the double-speak, and the partisan theater. While the media protects the powerful and buries the backlash, we dig it up and drag it into the light. If you’re tired of rigged narratives, selective outrage, and leaders who serve themselves, not you — then share this. Expose the corruption. Challenge the agenda. Because if we don’t fight for the truth, no one will. And that fight starts with you.
Texas Dems Flee to Stop Redistricting Map
In a high-stakes political standoff, dozens of Texas House Democrats fled the state on Sunday to block a scheduled vote on a redistricting proposal that could significantly favor Republicans. Their departure leaves the House without the quorum required to conduct official business and has ignited fierce legal and political backlash from state leaders. The group of Democrats flew to Chicago, where they held a press conference with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Over 50 members have left Texas, effectively paralyzing House operations. The redistricting plan, introduced last week by Texas House Republicans, could deliver up to five additional Republican U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections by reshaping districts in key Democratic areas such as Dallas and Houston. Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas’ 38 congressional seats. The new map has already drawn national attention, including threats of legal action from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who vowed to pursue “all options” to stop the GOP redistricting plan. (MORE NEWS: ICE Cooperation Gets CO Deputy Sued By AG) Texas GOP Response Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded with a scathing letter, blasting the fleeing lawmakers for what he called a premeditated attempt to shut down the legislative process. “Real Texans do not run from a fight. But that’s exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did,” Abbott wrote. He emphasized that this wasn’t an unavoidable absence due to emergencies or illness, but rather a deliberate effort to obstruct the legislative process. “That amounts to an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office… The absconded Democrat House members were elected to meet and vote on legislation—not to prevent votes that may not go their way.” Abbott cited Texas Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0382, suggesting that Democratic members who broke quorum could be removed from office through legal action. He stated his intent to invoke his authority under the Texas Constitution to fill vacancies if courts determine the seats were abandoned. Threats of Arrest and Legal Fallout Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton doubled down, threatening to arrest the absent Democrats over what he called civil violations of legislative duty. “They should be found and arrested no matter where they go,” Paxton said. Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law. — Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 3, 2025 The Governor also warned that Democrats fundraising to cover potential fines might be in violation of state bribery laws. According to the letter, any legislator or outside party offering or accepting money to facilitate absenteeism could face criminal charges. “Any Democrat who solicits or accepts funds to skip a vote may have violated bribery laws,” Abbott wrote. “I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons.” Illinois Governor Defends Democrats At the Chicago press conference, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker pledged support for the Texas Democrats. “They’re here in Illinois. We’re going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them and make sure that — ’cause we know they’re doing the right thing, we know that they’re following the law,” Pritzker said. He also criticized Texas officials for their threats and actions. “It’s Ken Paxton who doesn’t follow the law. It’s the leaders of Texas who are attempting not to follow the law. They’re the ones that need to be held accountable.” High Stakes and Political Theater Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin expressed full support for the fleeing lawmakers, accusing Republicans of attempting to rig the system. “For too long, Donald Trump and Republicans have tried to get away with rigging the system, breaking the rules, and scheming to hold onto power,” Martin said. “We will fight alongside these legislators to stop this anti-democratic assault.” We’ve been warning Texas Republicans for weeks that if they want a showdown, we’d give them a showdown. That’s exactly what Texas Democrats did today. The DNC will proudly fight alongside them to stop this anti-democratic assault. pic.twitter.com/a66aIXaFAE — Ken Martin (@kenmartin73) August 3, 2025 Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows issued a stern warning of his own: The Texas House will be convening at 3:00pm tomorrow. If a quorum is not present then, to borrow the recent talking points from some of my Democrat colleagues, all options will be on the table. . . — Dustin Burrows (@Burrows4TX) August 3, 2025 What’s Next for Texas While the Democrats’ absence has stalled the vote temporarily, it may carry significant personal and legal consequences for those involved. If Abbott follows through with his legal threats, the walkout could escalate into a prolonged constitutional battle over quorum-breaking, legislative duty, and state power. (MORE NEWS: The Final Bell: Remembering Hulk Hogan, Legend of the Ring) Meanwhile, the redistricting proposal remains a flashpoint in a larger national battle over election control and congressional power. This is a developing story. The Modern Memo will provide updates as more details emerge. Cut Through the Noise. Slice Through the Lies. Share the Truth. At The Modern Memo, we don’t tiptoe around the narrative—we swing a machete through it. The mainstream won’t say it, so we will. If you’re tired of spin, censorship, and sugar-coated headlines, help us rip the cover off stories that matter. Share this article. Wake people up. Give a voice to the truth the powerful want buried. This fight isn’t just ours—it’s yours. Join us in exposing what they won’t tell you. America needs bold truth-tellers, and that means you.