'They Are Afraid Their Voters Won't Choose Them': Texas Dem Howard Blasts GOP's Redistricting Effort

Forbes Breaking News

During Texas House of Representatives debate on Wednesday, Rep. Donna Howard (D) introduced an amendment to Republicans' redistricting bill that would block new maps from going into effect until an independent redistricting commission was established.

Transcript

00:00Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members. This is an amendment that says that does not allow the

00:09bill to go into effect until an independent redistricting commission has been established.

00:14Members, what is happening on the floor today is a blatantly obvious attempt to determine the

00:20outcome of the upcoming midterm election before a single vote is cast. Those who vote in favor

00:27of this bill will be supporting a process that has been engineered to dilute the power

00:33and voices of voters of color in Texas. With the push of a button, you are taking the decision

00:39away from the voters of Texas. But where I come from in Texas, we're proud of our independent

00:46mindedness and believe in our right to self-determination, which is why I know there is no reason why Texans

00:55should settle for a redistricting process that does not let us make up our own minds. Today's

01:01proceedings are proof that the legislature should not be responsible for drawing these maps.

01:07It's clear that when left to do so, the legislature will abuse its power to silence the voices of

01:13its constituents. House Bill 4 targets congressional districts that have historically been held

01:19by Texans of color and eliminates the community's ability to elect the candidate of their choice.

01:25Here in Travis County, the proposed maps would eliminate our only court-ordered minority opportunity

01:33district created to protect the voting rights of people of color. In 2017, a panel of federal judges ruled

01:42that three of our congressional districts, including CD 35 here in Travis County, were illegal and

01:49violated the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution. As a result, Texas was forced to redraw the maps

01:56to ensure Texans of color received fair representation in Congress. Now this body seeks to eliminate that

02:03district and strip black and brown voters in Austin of their voice in Congress. As many of you know,

02:11I have called Austin my home for my entire life. I spent my youth in and around North Austin, my young

02:18adulthood in Central and East Austin, and have called West and South Austin home for the last 50 years.

02:26I know my community better than anyone who drew the lines on this map. I can assure you that districts drawn

02:34from urban Austin through rural communities extending to Louisiana, Port Aransas, and the New Mexico border

02:43do not reflect communities of interest. Instead of strengthening black and brown representation in

02:50Congress, which would better reflect the true ethnic and racial makeup of our state, this body seeks to

02:56dilute their power and eliminate their voice. Therefore, the most responsible and ethical vote we can take

03:02today is to pause this sham process until an independent redistricting commission has been established.

03:10Doing so will ensure the people of Texas have a voice in this process and can help guide where and how

03:16their districts are drawn. True representation and fair access to the polls are the foundation of our

03:23electoral system because in a democratic society, ultimate accountability occurs at the ballot box.

03:32As elected officials, it is our duty to represent the people of Texas and be their voice of government.

03:38And as members of the People's House, we are supposed to have our fingers on the pulse of our communities.

03:45District lines that include disparate communities hours apart from one another do not allow for fair

03:51representation. The only reason to include them in the same district would be to dilute their power and

03:57voice in Congress. HB4 is a blatant attempt by a handful of elected officials to choose their voters

04:04because they are afraid their voters won't choose them. It is clearer than ever before that how and where

04:11voting lines are drawn have a direct impact on a community's representation in government and its ability

04:17to influence change. I urge you to vote in favor of this amendment and show your constituents that you

04:24value their voice over currying favor with your political allies. Mr. Spaniel, I yield for questions.

04:30Ms. Cina Hossa, for what purpose?

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