For their walkout, Texas Democrats get national attention — and partisan retribution at home

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House, vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch. (Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune)

---

When Texas House Democrats returned to the Capitol after walking out over the GOP’s new congressional map, they were cheered by supporters as bulwarks of democracy — then promptly bulldozed by Republicans fed up with their protest and intent on further marginalizing the minority party.