Texas Democrats Get Police Chaperones to Block Repeat Exit
Lawmakers during a special session at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Aug. 18.
Photographer: Kaylee Greenlee/BloombergDemocratic lawmakers left Texas this month to block a vote on new congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump. Now that they’ve returned, Republicans are trying to prevent a repeat performance by requiring state police to escort Democrats exiting the Texas House of Representatives.
Nicole Collier, a Democrat from Fort Worth, is protesting by refusing to leave the chamber. Accompanied by two colleagues including caucus leader Gene Wu, she spent Monday night in her leather chair wearing a bonnet and eye mask. Eight Democratic lawmakers said they’d join her Tuesday night ahead of a key vote the following day.