Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jonesstrongly challenged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Monday over his threat to remove Democrats who fled the state, saying that "there is no felony in the Texas penal code for what he says."
"So respectfully, he's making up some s——," Jones said while speaking to media in Albany. "He has no legal mechanism. And if he did, subpoenas from Texas don't work in New York or Chicago, so he's going to come get us how?"
She continued: "Let me be clear, he's putting up smoke and mirrors."
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On Monday morning in Albany, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), accompanied by a group of Texas state House Democrats who fled their state to stall a mid‑decade redistricting vote, announced that she and top Democratic legislative officials are evaluating every available option to redraw New York’s congressional map.
The six Texas lawmakers joined Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a gathering Hochul described as “a strong stand against a blatant power grab” by Abbott and President Donald Trump.
The Texans’ absence was intended to block a GOP‑driven redistricting proposal that, if enacted, could add up to five Republican‑leaning districts in Texas, significantly complicating Democrats’ chances of retaking control of the U.S. House following the 2026 elections.
Hochul added: “Congressional districts are never re‑drawn mid‑decade. But here they are, flagrantly breaking the rules so they can hold onto power,” Hochul said. “And with that power, they’re gonna inflict even more pain.”
She further noted that both Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins share her view and are actively participating in the effort to examine possible redistricting strategies in New York.
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