00:00Thank you so much, Leader Wu. Good evening, everyone.
00:04A big thanks first to the DuPage County Democrats and their chair, Reed McCollum, for making this space available and hosting us here this evening.
00:13We're here to welcome the Texas House of Representatives Democratic Caucus and its leader, Gene Wu, to the great state of Illinois.
00:21I was honored to host all of you, well, a group of you, about nine days ago and to learn about the challenges that you might potentially face.
00:32And, frankly, I wish that we were greeting you under better circumstances today.
00:38But instead, we know that you are making great sacrifices to resist the power grab that's being perpetrated by Donald Trump, by Governor Abbott, and by Texas Republicans.
00:51You are answering one of the most challenging calls of public service that has ever been asked of you.
00:57And you've had to leave behind your families, your full-time jobs, your communities, and you did it to protect the voting rights of the people that you represent and voters all across this nation.
01:11Tonight, along with the Speaker of the Illinois House, the President of the Illinois Senate, and millions of Illinoisans,
01:17we are very pleased to welcome you and to stand in solidarity with you and send a clear message to all Americans.
01:26We will not let power go unchecked or let your voices and their voices go unheard.
01:35Over the past few months, my political team and I have been in direct and regular contact with the Texas Democratic Caucus.
01:42In late June, I was able to spend time with the Texas Democratic Party Chair, Kendall Scudder, who traveled all the way from Dallas to prepare for this exact possibility.
01:54Last week, I was honored to host Chair Wu and members of his delegation for a frank discussion about what was at stake and how Illinois could help.
02:03I want to level set with you about what is happening in Texas and how it affects us all and why we are grateful that our friends from Texas are here tonight.
02:17Since Donald Trump came into office, he has taken calculated and explicit steps to grab unprecedented power and to silence his dissenters.
02:27He has ignored federal orders, federal court orders, encroached on states' rights, and he has strained our Constitution.
02:36As his cruel agenda reared its ugly head, Trump saw his poll numbers tanking and has begun to see that Republicans will likely lose control of Congress in 2026.
02:49When you try to tear health care away from veterans and seniors and people with disabilities and stop food assistance for the most vulnerable working families in America and raise prices on everyday groceries,
03:03all to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country, then voters are likely going to throw your party out.
03:11So Trump came up with a new scheme, rigged the system, by ramming through a corrupt mid-decade redistricting plan that would steal five congressional seats,
03:23silencing millions of voices, especially black and Latino voters.
03:29Let's be clear, this is not just rigging the system in Texas.
03:32It's about rigging the system against the rights of all Americans for years to come.
03:38Now, Texas Republicans submitted to the President's orders and took steps to advance Trump's Texas takeover.
03:49And while Texas Democrats have been trying to work across the aisle to deliver disaster relief after the devastating floods in central Texas,
03:58Republicans chose to use the tragedy as political cover to cheat.
04:04That brings us to today.
04:06Texas Democrats were left no choice but to leave their home state, block a vote from taking place, and protect their constituents.
04:16This is a righteous act of courage.
04:19And we can all take a page from these leaders' playbook.
04:22When you show people that you have the will to fight, well, they can muster the will to fight, too.
04:31Courage is contagious.
04:32I am very proud, very proud that Illinois Democrats have been in this fight from day one of Donald Trump's presidency.
04:43In the coming days and weeks, Illinois will partner with the Texas House Democratic Caucus to put a spotlight on the danger that Trump and Texas Republicans pose to all Americans.
04:55To be in public office right now is to constantly ask yourself, how do I make sure that we're standing on the right side of history?
05:04There's a simple answer.
05:05The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid.
05:09The right side of history will always expect you to be courageous.
05:16Expect courage from people around you, and it will show up.
05:19Expect fear, and fear will rule the day.
05:23Let the courage of these leaders be an example to the rest of the country.
05:28I'm proud to stand side by side with our friends from Texas today, and we'd be happy to take your questions.
05:35Mr. Woh, Mr. Woh, can you talk about what is going to happen?
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