Yesterday, Texas Democrats broke quorum during the Texas special legislative session to put a stop to Governor Greg Abbott’s desperate ploy to rig the maps in favor of Republicans. 

Exactly one month after deadly flooding in Central Texas, Republicans have shamelessly used the suffering of Texas families as a pretext for redrawing congressional maps, while refusing to use their power to immediately deliver aid. Now, as Texas Democrats stand up for Texans, Governor Abbott has launched new digital ads to spread more partisan disinformation in service of Donald Trump, before any vote on aid even happens. 

In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“One month after a natural disaster devastated communities in Kerr County, grieving families are still begging for help because Governor Greg Abbott would rather exploit their pain than deliver relief. Let’s be absolutely clear: Greg Abbott only called this sham special session to attack Texans’ rights and rig congressional maps to stave off Republicans’ looming defeat in the midterms. With a stroke of his pen, Abbott could use his authority as governor to deliver relief to Texas families. Instead, he has turned the state government into a political instrument to expand Donald Trump’s power — while using Texas flood victims as collateral. As they unite with Democrats across the nation, Texas Democrats are courageously using every tool at their disposal to stand up for those families and all Texans now under assault by the Republican Party. The families of Kerr County have endured enough. Stop playing politics with their lives, Governor Abbott.”