Texas Democrats flee the state to try to stymie GOP redistricting effort

By Andrew Schneider,

Ailsa Chang

Published August 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM EDT

In a midterm election battle spreading across the country, Republicans leading the Texas Legislature are trying to meet and redraw Congressional lines to help the GOP hold the majority in Congress. Democrats in Texas have fled to other states to try to block them from meeting.

Andrew Schneider

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish, and Mary Louise Kelly. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Texas Democrats block GOP redistricting plan by fleeing the state

Liz Baker

The Texas House failed to reach the quorum needed to vote on a new congressional map that could have given Republicans five new seats, after House Democrats forced a legislative standstill.
NPR News

Wildfire smoke is like smoking 'half a pack a day.' Here's how to protect yourself

Alejandra Borunda

As Canadian wildfires spread smoke across the U.S. the air pollution is dangerous to health. But there are ways to protect yourself. Here's what to know.
Death toll from hunger rises in Gaza with no end in sight

Aya Batrawy

The death toll from hunger continues to climb daily in Gaza. And more Israelis protested over the weekend, demanding both a ceasefire and a hostage deal after footage of an Israeli captured in the Oct. 7 attack of 2023 was released by Hamas.
What's next after the BLS chief's firing? A former staffer weighs in

Lauren Hodges

Last week, president trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, after a revision to previous jobs reports. What does this action mean for the agency and for the future of U.S. labor data, which is considered the gold standard for economists?
How Trump's tariffs are affecting prices

Alina Selyukh

Prices have risen a tad on some items especially affected by tariffs. But for the most part, companies are finding ways to delay price increases -- for now.