Governor Hochul meets with Texas Democrats who fled amid redistricting standoff

ALBANY, New York (WABC) -- Texas Democrats who left their state met with Gov. Kathy Hochul in Albany after a standoff over redrawn U.S. House maps sought by President Donald Trump.

The proposed congressional map, backed by President Donald Trump, could create up to five new Republican seats and help Republicans keep control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. Consideration of the bill had been set for Monday, but cannot proceed if Democrats deny a quorum.

Many Texas Democrats flew to Chicago to stand with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, while a smaller group headed to New York, where they met with Hochul on Monday morning.

"We won't sit on the sidelines while Republicans try to rig the system to give Donald Trump more unchecked power," Hochul said in a statement. "Texas Democrats are standing up for the future of our democracy, and I'm proud to stand with them in the fight against disenfranchisement."

New York is now considering how to protect its interests in Congress. Hochul said they are open to redrawing the maps if Texas fires the first shot.

New York State Sen. Michael Gianaris co-introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow restricting in a non-census year, if another state does so first.

"This is going to be the new normal and we'll see more and more states try to manipulate the process, and we can't sit on the sidelines while that happens," Gianaris said.

The governor agreed.

"If Republicans are willing to rewrite the rules to give themselves an advantage, then we have no choice, we must do the same," Hochul said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested the lawmakers are committing a felony by leaving the state. But they disagree.

"I am representing, I am not abandoning my duties, I am doing job," said Texas Democrat Lulu Flores.

Abbott said if the lawmakers do not return, he will invoke a legal opinion by the Texas attorney general and take steps to "remove the missing Democrats from membership in the Texas House."

The Texas House Democratic Caucus responded in a statement: "Come and take it."

The walkout itself cannot stop the passage of the bill, but Democrats aim to run out the clock on the 30-day special legislative session, which would mean Abbott would have to call another one. Texas House Democrats previously broke quorum in 2021 to try to stop an elections bill and in 2003 to try to stop a similar redistricting effort by Republicans. Republicans eventually managed to pass the bills both times.

President Donald Trump has previously said he wanted Texas legislators to draw five new Republican districts.

Democrats who break quorum risk accruing a $500-a-day fine, according to the state House rules, and potential legal action.

(ABC News contributed to this report.)