Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier has now spent over 24 hours on the Texas House floor in protest after refusing a Republican demand to be placed under the watch of the state Department of Public Safety.

House Democrats have ended their 15-day holdout, which delayed but is unlikely to derail a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan aimed at safeguarding Republican interests.

Collier is a seven-term Democratic lawmaker and former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus who also represents a majority-minority district. Democrats have charged that the redrawn congressional maps would tear up those districts, stripping those voters of their voices.

Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 8.18.25: Texas Democrats return to Austin after two weeks Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time in two weeks, a quorum was met in the Texas House after many Democrats returned to Austin. That allowed the legislature to advance a bill to redraw maps that will likely affect Houston’s representation in Congress. Democratic leaders said they believe their quorum break was a success.