Texas Democrats walked out to block a law. How well has the tactic worked before?

NPR
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Texas state lawmakers board a bus following a press conference at the DuPage County Democratic Party headquarters on August 03, 2025 in Carol Stream, Ill. The group of Democratic lawmakers left the state earlier today so a quorum could not be reached during a special session called to redistrict the state.

Dozens of Texas Democrats left the state to protest a redistricting map, facing potentially steep consequences. Lawmaker walkouts have had mixed success in the past — so what is there to gain?

(Image credit: Scott Olson)

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