CSPAN - Texas House Hearing on Congressional Redistricting

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July 28, 2025 20:16-22:13 - CSPAN

01:56:56

Texas House Hearing on Congressional Redistricting

Participants

Main

cody vasut

15:01

Appearances

ankush khardori

00:48

muriel bowser

00:37

Clips

john mcardle

cspan 00:02

karen bass

d 00:16

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Show episode speakers

Speaker	Time	Text
ankush khardori ▲ ● ▼		Concerned, I would say, about the extent of his personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
		But that personal relationship now has political implications, right?
		Because the Trump administration, not just Trump himself, but the vice president, the attorney general, the FBI director, and the FBI deputy director, all spent years cultivating these Epstein conspiracy theories as part of a political process that is now playing out in the current administration.
		So we've seen the public and the private, the political and the private, sort of merge under Trump.
		So now for him, he views this as a personal matter that he can sue about, but it's also a very political hot topic, one that's very, very important to many Americans.
		So effectively, he's in a position where he can file a lawsuit that is looking to essentially squelch reporting on a matter of public concern.
john mcardle ▲ ● ▼		Joseph, New Jersey, Republican, good morning.
unidentified		You're next.
		Hey, good morning.
		How are you?
		Just listen to somebody from the media that's telling me that President Trump is sue happy or whatever the word he used.
		This man, president I voted for, has been destroyed by the media and my own government with fake stories like Russia collusion that was all made up.
		I don't know if the political level apologized for that.
		The man, for three years, he was undermined.
		I wanted to be in the White House.
		He was undermined.
		Couldn't get things done.
		And the Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting is returning now following a short break.
		You're watching live coverage here on C-SPAN.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Appreciate you hanging in there with us.
		We had worked on a technical issue, and I think we've solved it.
		Come back in here.
		Chair, at this time, is going to call up two witnesses.
		If you'll take separate microphones, chair is going to call Roderick Miles, and Chair is going to call Sergio DeLeon.
		Roderick Miles and Sergio DeLon, if you'll make your way up to separate microphones, once you're there, we'll go ahead and get started.
		Roderick Miles?
		All right.
		I'll show you register to testify as Roderick Miles on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening.
		My name is Roderick Miles, and I have the privilege of representing the residents of Tarran County Precinct 1 as their county commissioner.
		All right.
		I rise to stand in opposition to this congressional redistricting.
		This is not just about Republicans versus Democrats.
		This is about right versus wrong, about power versus principle.
		What we are witnessing is not simply politics.
		It is a deliberate effort to undermine the rights of people.
		That is a moral failure, my friends, and that is an ethical failure.
		When government redraws lines with the intent to silence specific communities, it does more than violate laws.
		It violates trust.
		It strips people of their dignity.
		We tell our children that every vote matters, that every vote counts.
		But what does it say when those in power erase voices they do not want to hear?
		Proverbs 11 and 1 tells us that the Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
		When we rig the system to benefit the powerful, we are using dishonest scales.
		This is not just unconstitutional, it is unjust.
		We just went through this in Tarran County.
		Maps were drawn in a way that made communities feel invincible.
		That was not representation, that was erasure.
		Now voters across Texas are seeing the same naked power grab, just at a larger scale.
		Once again, lines are being drawn not to bring people in, but to push people out.
		District 33 was created through a court order to repair harm done to communities of color.
		It was meant to ensure that we would no longer crack apart neighborhoods just because they vote differently.
		This mid-decade redistricting would not just reverse progress, it would deepen the harm and dishonor the courts, the people, and the principle of equal representation.
		It is especially shameful that this is being done during a special session meant to prepare for disasters.
		Let us not forget.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		One more sentence.
unidentified		You bet.
unidentified		Let us not forget it is the very communities being targeted that suffer the witness.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairson.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you.
unidentified		The witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		At this microphone down here, if we can next get Brittany Coington or Cewington, I apologize.
		If you come down here and I go back to Mr. DeLeon, I ask you register to testify as Sergio DeLeon on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		And I have a duplicate registration from you.
		You registered twice.
		Is it okay if we delete the duplicate registration?
unidentified		Yes, it is.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Okay, please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
		My name is Sergio De Leon, and I have the honor of representing Tarrant County, Precinct 5, as the duly elected Justice of the Peace.
		I am here today to object to this mid-decade redistricting by the Texas legislature and your attempt to silence minority voters across the Lone Star State.
		I can recall a time period when Republicans in the Texas legislature wanted nothing to do with Washington, D.C.
		Now, now you are taking your cues directly from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue rather than the people you represent.
		You all are engaged in a game of Simon says, and Simon is about to run you off the cliff.
		The people of Texas want their elected officials to do what is right and what is just.
		And this mid-decade attempt to redraw the lines in order to favor the president is just wrong.
		And it is an injustice to racially discriminate against Hispanic and black voters by presumably, because we haven't seen the maps, by cracking and packing and diluting minority voting strength.
		Your power grab does nothing more than contribute to the distrust that people have of their government and their elected officials.
		They believe no matter who is in power, their station in life does not advance.
		And they give up and refuse to participate in the system.
		The lost hope stains our democracy, and it is something that we all must work towards to avoid.
		I hope this moment serves as a wake-up call to everyone watching this debacle to re-engage and to reaffirm their commitment to citizen engagement and voting at every level of government.
		Additionally, the Trump Justice Department is a farce, and they are focused on dismantling minority voting rights.
		The letter sent by the Trump DOJ is a fig leaf to simply rip apart Hispanic and African American communities of interest.
		These are communities with similar socioeconomics who come together in support of candidates in their choice.
		Republicans in this state are trying to silence the voice of minority voters, and it's not going to fly.
		Thank you very much for your attention today.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for the witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair Herr Snyder, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		The witness is excuse me.
unidentified		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		At this microphone over here, if I could get Samuel Garcia to come down next for this one, Samuel Garcia.
unidentified		Okay.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Now I said this wrong earlier.
unidentified		I show you register to testify as Brittany Cooington.
unidentified		Kewington.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Kewington.
		That's an awesome name.
		Brittany Kewington, on behalf of the Texas AFL-CIO on the revised congressional redistricting plan, is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
unidentified		All right.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening.
		My name is Brittany Kewington.
		I'm an Air Force veteran, a proud union member, it's not already obvious, a working class organizer, and a black woman who has always called North Texas home.
		I currently live in Collin County, but home for me is South Dallas, not to be confused with Southern Dallas.
		I didn't just serve my country.
		I came back home and kept serving my community.
		And I know firsthand, when you break up districts haphazardly, when you buy or bury urban, suburban, working-class, veterinary neighborhoods into mostly rural congressional maps, you're not just redrawing lines.
		You're erasing people.
		People like me.
		But I'm assuming that's the point.
		Although I live in a neighboring county, what happens to the one next door affects us all?
		We work together.
		We worship together.
		Our kids ride the same school buses.
		You can't surgically remove us from each other and then pretend like we're not connected.
		Veterans, especially minority veterans, already face barriers when it comes to accessing the health care benefits and economic opportunities that we were told we earned.
		We can't afford to have our voices watered down in the districts that don't reflect our lives or our needs.
		We deserve more than performative representation.
		We deserve leaders who live among us, leaders who show up when there's no photo op and who know our struggle because, hell, they lived it too.
		Let me be clear.
		This isn't about left or right.
		It's about right and wrong.
		And what is happening right here is wrong.
		If you're going to thank us as veterans for our service, then respect the communities that we come home to.
		If you're going to say our skilled labor is essential, respect the access to equitable resources for those workers and their families.
		Keep our districts whole as much as possible.
		Keep our voices intact.
		And stop playing politics with our lives.
		Thank you.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairson, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		If I could get up to this microphone over here, Ananiah Turner.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Ananiah Turner, if you could come down to this microphone, we'll get to you in just a moment.
unidentified		All right.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair calls Samuel Garcia.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		It is.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I drove here three hours to get here.
		I came from Abilene, Texas.
		And if I'm willing to drive three hours to come here and talk, I'm going to ask you to get off your phone and listen to what I have to say.
		Whenever I found out, when you address somebody from the state legislature, you're supposed to call them the honorable this or the honorable that.
		Well, the word honorable means that you bring honor.
		And when you're elected, you're given that title.
		You should earn that title.
		Being honorable means that you do the right thing.
		Being honorable means that you will look at yourself in the mirror every day and say, why am I doing this?
		You got a call from Donald Trump.
		He told you to go find five seats.
		No, he got asked, how many seats?
		He said, five.
		He was asked on the news.
		You say, we don't have any maps.
		Well, how in the hell does Donald Trump know he's going to get five seats?
		I bet you anything there's maps that are there.
		Those maps are there and they're sitting on his desk and he's waiting for you to do it.
		This is ridiculous.
		A man a few days ago was arrested because he spoke too long at the lecter.
		He spoke too long and y'all said, oh, he had to be arrested because he broke the rules.
		How many of you are going to get arrested for breaking the rules of mistreating the citizens of this faith?
		You're breaking the rules.
		We are the citizens of this country.
		We're the ones.
		It's supposed to be bottom up, not top down.
		I'm going to say this one thing to you.
		You know it's wrong.
		In your heart, you know it's wrong.
		And here's what I'm going to ask you.
		When your kids or your grandkids ask you one day, as a state representative, did you always do the right thing?
		You've got two answers that you can choose from.
		You're either going to have to admit to them that no, sometimes I did things just for power.
		Sometimes I did that.
		Or you're going to have to lie to your kids and lie to your grandkids and tell them you did it because you believed it.
		Because you know this is wrong.
		This is wrong.
		I grew up.
		Please complete your testimony.
		I'm an Aggie and I bleed Aggie Maru.
		And Aggies, we say, Aggies, we don't lie, Steve, or chill, cheat, or feel.
		And we don't tolerate those who do.
		But the other thing is, soy mihicano.
		And my mother would look at you today.
		My mother would look at you today and say, si meruenza.
		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		We're fine, sir.
unidentified		Chairs, thank you.
unidentified		excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		If I could have Ebony Turner come down to this microphone.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Come to next.
unidentified		All right.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I'll show you, register to testify as Ananaya Turner.
unidentified		Anaya.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Anaya Turner.
		Thank you for that.
		On behalf of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute on revised Congressional Redistricting Plan, is that correct?
		Thank you.
		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		Good evening.
		My name is Anaya Turner.
		I am a resident of Congressional District 18, a student at Texas Southern University, and a fellow of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute.
		I'm deeply concerned about the proposed mid-decade redistricting, especially considering CD 18 will be without representation for eight to ten months, which effectively, which is effectively taxation without representation for our community.
		I believe initiating redistricting now is unnecessary.
		There is no compelling evidence to justify disrupting our electoral landscape further.
		Our focus should be on addressing immediate community needs, not unwarranted changes that compound our existing lack of representation.
		Texas's scale demands more than three hearings.
		This is racially driven, limiting discussion, risk, excluding money, Texans, especially marginalized communities.
		This revision leaves people out of selecting their representation.
		We must ensure every citizen can influence their representation and stand against undermining democratic principles and reducing public participation.
		I urge you to reject mid-decade redistricting.
		Wait for the 2030 census and give CD 18 voters a real chance to be heard and represented.
		Please honor Barbara Jordan's legacy and fair representation for all Texans.
		Thank you.
		Thank you for your testimony.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair recognizes Vice Chair Rosenford for questioning witness.
unidentified		Ms. Turner.
		Yes.
		Thank you so much for coming today, all the way from Congressional 18.
		How many hours did you drive to be here today?
		I'm sorry.
		How long did it take you to get here?
		Oh, it was, well, I'm from here, so it only took me a few minutes, but it's four hours.
		So let me ask you about Congressional 18.
		Would you say that?
		No, no, no.
		Don't speed on the road.
		Congressional 18 is a historic, iconic district, would you say?
		Yes.
		That brought us Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington, and Sylvester Turner.
		Yes.
		So your testimony today is that you believe that 800,000 or so residents of Congressional 18 deserve a voice in their federal government?
		I believe they do.
		Thank you, ma'am.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any other questions for this witness?
		Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
		Members, witnesses excused.
		This side over here, if I could get Ernest Leinberger to come down and be ready at that microphone.
		All right, ma'am.
		I'll show you register to testify as Ebony Turner on behalf of the Black Mansfield Moms Group and yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		Hello, my name is Ebony Turner.
		I am a resident of CDC 6, SD 22, a former candidate for House District 96 and resident of 96, and still barely a resident of Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2.
		My daughter is a presidential scholar at Texas Southern University, so my money resides in CD 18.
		Just heard from her.
		I am the founder of the 3,400-member Black Men's Pro Moms Group and also the Hispanic Women Network of Texas, Arlington Chapter, and a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
		So, first, I want to give my condolences and prayers go out to the recent victims and families, recent victims' families, and survivors of the flood earlier this month, because preventing future tragedies is where our focus should be instead of on this redistricting nonsense.
		As an attorney, I know and I know that you all know racial gerrymandering violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
		As such, I oppose this mid-census redistricting plan.
		I oppose targeting black and brown districts to accomplish Trump's goal of gaining five new seats.
		I oppose racial gerrymandering and any cracking and packing that will surely be the center of this effort.
		Texans do not want or need this.
		California and other Democratic-led states have vowed to redistrict in such a way as to neutralize any Republican seats that might be gained.
		So, what is the point?
		Why set a precedent that redistricting can occur whenever any leader in power says so on a whim?
		Tarrant County is already spending taxpayer dollars to defend a racial gerrymandering lawsuit of its county commissioner precincts, especially mine.
		Any passage of illegally racially gerrymandered bills will result in the same fate at the state level.
		As I close, it is you, state legislators, who will suffer the biggest fallout.
		Congressional seats might be gained, but many more of you will lose yours.
		So here's to hoping permanent out-of-state notifications for Abbott and any proponents of this mid-census illegal racist power grab.
		I oppose members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair Zan, thank you for your testimony.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		The witness is excused.
unidentified		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		At this microphone, if I could have next come down Amanda McLaughlin.
		Amanda McLaughlin.
		All right, I shall be register to testify as Ernest Leinberger on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I'd like to thank all of you for being here and putting in these long hours, and this great group for being here and sharing their thoughts.
		I am Ernest Leinberger.
		I am a candidate for U.S. House for Texas Congressional District 26, a retired naval officer, a veteran, an engineer with 29 years at Texas Instruments in Dallas, a believer in Love Your Neighbor, and we are all neighbors.
		I ran for the open seat in 2024 and got 36% of the vote.
		Since then, Representative Brandon Gill and I have been working to convince the voters that I am the better choice.
		Mr. Gill is new to public service.
		Mr. Gill is new to public service and seems aligned to serve the wealthy and take from those in need, while my approach is putting the people's needs first.
		This redistricting plan, and I have seen one called C-2201, may not be applicable, but that's the one I'm referring to, has elongated districts with tiny tails in urban areas and distant, massive amounts of rural that make it very difficult for House members to stay in touch and correctly represent.
		Equally difficult for constituents to seek support.
		Old districts are divided up.
		End-to-end distance is dramatically increased.
		These seats might as well be Texas at large rather than district-specific.
		This proposal is wrong and harmful to our representative government.
		The changes to CD 26 are extreme.
		This will set me back in name recognition and voter outreach.
		I'm eager to represent the voters of CD 26 and be a statesman of stewardship who will look after their needs and those of the nation.
		Water, hospitals, Medicare, SNAP, VA, FAA, NOAA, FEMA, and any other assistance needed to help everyone to reach their full potential.
		I'm Ernest Leinberger of Denton County.
		I oppose this mid-decade redistricting, but will serve my district and America regardless.
		Thank you so much for this opportunity to speak.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair Herson, thank you for your testimony.
		The gentleman is excused.
		At this microphone next, if I could get Denaya Jones, Denaya Jones?
		Denasia.
		Danasia Jones, if you please come to that microphone next.
		Thank you for that.
		Chair calls Amanda McLaughlin.
		I'm sure you're registered to testify as Amanda McLaughlin on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Okay.
		I am Amanda McLaughlin.
		I'm representing myself.
		Why is there an effort to redistrict?
		For years, any bias in the last redistricting was denied, and that is the basis for redistricting.
		There has already been a great deal of gerrymandering.
		The purpose of this redistricting is not to correct any past bias, just the opposite.
		It is an attempt to seize more power that does not represent the people.
		Legislators should serve the people they represent, but now many legislators are there to serve themselves and a president who bullies them and demanding five more Republican seats.
		The new maps are not available.
		I believe that they are being hidden from us because it would be obvious how biased and unfair they are.
		We should have hearings after the maps are released.
		This redistricting will discriminate even more against many people in a very diverse state for the benefit of one group.
		White conservatives represent a small portion of the population but want to control everyone.
		This control includes forcing Christian nationalisms on everyone.
		While we are denying children school lunches, we are forcing classes to display the Ten Commandments.
		Immigrants are being disappeared without any due process, and as transgender women, biracic rights are being denied.
		We are already bullied.
		We don't need a stronger bully.
		This is abusing power to gain more power and should not be allowed.
		Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair Herson, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		You are exclusive.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		If I could get at this microphone next, Kathleen Turner.
		Kathleen Turner at that microphone.
		I'll show you register to testify as Danasia Jones on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good afternoon, members of the committee and fellow Texans.
		My name is Danasia Jones.
		I'm a junior pre-law political science major at UT Arlington.
		I'm here today voicing my concerns about the proposed mid-cycle redirection effort.
		Redistricting is a process meant to ensure fair and equal representation based on population changes reflected in the 10-year census.
		We are witnessing a political motivated and deviation from that demographic justification.
		Attempting to redraw congressional maps in the middle of the decade, just years after the census, is not just irregular, but also a strategic partisan power.
		I find it deeply troubling that this process appears to prioritize political control over community representation, especially in a state as diverse and rapidly growing as Texas.
		Communities of color, black, Latino, and Asian have historically been underrepresented.
		The proposed changes threaten to dismantle their voting strength through tactics like crackling, like cracking, and packing, making it harder for these communities to elect candidates of their choice.
		While the legal standard prohibits race as a predominant factor in redistricting, We must acknowledge race and party are often closely intertwined, especially in Texas.
		The courts may struggle to separate racial intent from partisan motive, but the lived consequences are always clear.
		These maps risk disenfranchising millions of voters under the guise of political strategy.
		I want to sincerely just thank my Commissioner Elisa Simpson, State Rep Chris Turner, and everyone who appeared today to practice and present today and affirm that demand that still matters in Texas.
		Thank you for your time.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair, there's none.
		Thank you for your testimony.
		The witness is excused.
		If I could get at that microphone on this side, next, Mirian Spencer Morrison, if you would come down right there.
		I'll show you register to testify as Kathleen Turner on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening, Chair and members of the committee.
		My name is Kathleen Turner, and I live in the Hewlin Bend State community of Fort Worth, Tech, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, in Congressional District 12.
		I am here today to speak with a heavy heart and a clear voice in opposition to the mid-decade redistricting effort.
		What's happening is not just political, it's deeply personal for communities like mine.
		Right here in Dallas-Fort Worth area, CD 33, a district built by black, Latino, and Asian Americans, voters working together to finally have a voice is under attack.
		Without a new census in the middle of the decade, you're opposing to dismantle a community we fought decades to build.
		Why?
		What change other than a political power and racism?
		Tarrant County voters have already lost representation at the county level.
		Now this plan risks erasing our voices in Congress as well.
		For many of us, it feels like we are being told once again that we don't count.
		We are not invisible.
		Communities of color are the very reason DFW is growing.
		We built this district, we show up, we vote, and yet in a state where nearly 60% of the population are people of color, only about a third of our congressional delegation reflects that reality.
		That's not fair representation.
		That's deliberate manipulation.
		I urge you, do not silence us.
		Wait until the 2030 census to draw new maps.
		And if changes must be made, give the people a real voice in that process before any decisions become final.
		Please don't take away the representation we've worked so hard to build.
		We matter.
		We are watching and we will not stop speaking out.
		Thank you.
		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you for your testimony.
		The witness is excused.
		At this microphone, if I can next get Mindy Tackett.
		All right.
		I show you register to testify as Mirion Spencer Morrison on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
		That is correct.
		All right, perfect.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Hi, I am Mirian Spencer Morrison.
		I am currently the State Democratic Executive Committeewoman for Congressional District 25.
		I am speaking on behalf of myself as a lifetime Texan voter and currently a rural constituent of District 25.
		Good evening, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
		I oppose redistricting due to the limited opportunities for voters of the 254 counties in Texas to have reasonable input on maps that will affect them for the next six years.
		My congressional district begins in Callahan County and goes east to Eastland, Stevens, Young, Jack, Comanche, Palapento, Parker, Eratz, Somerville, Hood, Johnson, and ends in Tarrant County, including UT Arlington, which we are here today.
		The maps online for the 2025 proposed redistricting are unofficial, so I won't waste time on proposals for 25, which include some increasing the county total from 13 to 28 and spanning from Amarillo to Austin.
		The boundaries were approved, the current ones, were approved during the 2021 session.
		There were maps and opportunities for Texans to review, comment, and bring meaningful input to the legislature.
		While the current districts don't appease most people, there was dialogue and, as usually occurs, lawsuits.
		Texas is currently in court fighting while entertaining new maps.
		In my occupation as a city planner, I have worked on redistricting within the agencies and departments that I work.
		Most recently, our agency took on one city.
		It took us six months to draw service boundaries that will serve our six divisions to be balanced for calls for service and response times and projected population through 2030.
		Another entity took a year to do that.
		I am certain none of the background done in my professional capacity has been done, and there is zero chance the level of diligence will be done.
		It is ridiculous that we are entertaining this process now as candidates for the 26 election have announced and started working.
		If this is going to be in effect for the 26 maps, it's only going to cause confusion.
		And if this can wait to 2028, this drawn-out process should be expanded through the 27 legislature.
		We deserve better as Texans.
		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		The witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next, at this microphone, if I could get Chris Tackett.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I'm going to go out on a limb and say that y'all might be related.
unidentified		Yeah.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		All right.
unidentified		You get us both.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Okay.
		Chair calls Mindy Tackett.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan?
unidentified		Is that correct?
unidentified		Correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		So I am here to tell all of you exactly what I told the Texas Senate, word for word.
		Texans do not want this.
		Trump wants this.
		Mid-decade redistricting is a blatant, racist power grab.
		It undermines fair representation and rigs the rules to erase the voices of black and brown communities in order to keep politicians who support white Christian nationalism in power.
		This is no different than what we have been fighting here in Tarrant County.
		Just like the Tarrant County Commissioners were afraid they might lose power here, Trump and national-level Republicans are afraid they might lose some power.
		So they're turning to states like Texas to try and ensure they have enough Republican seats.
		And you're going to squash black and brown voices to do it.
		There's no polite way to say this.
		Republicans, we see you.
		We see who you are, and we see what you're doing.
		You're shameless, power-hungry bootlickers for Trump.
		Well, you seem to be having a technical issue with our signal from this live event.
		We are working to resolve the issue, and we hope to resume our live coverage shortly.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Ernesto Moran at that microphone.
		Chair calls Chris Tackett.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		It's asinine that we're here talking about this today when we know the state of Texas has argued in court that the maps drawn after the 2020 census weren't based on race, and yet the DOJ justification is that these maps were drawn based on race.
		You can't have it make sense unless you are willing to acknowledge that this is nothing more than a step toward authoritarianism.
		The current administration is scared to death that the people won't vote for them in 2026.
		They needed to find a place led by those who will kiss the ring and do their bidding to carve out a handful of seats.
		Enter Texas.
		The administration has embarked on a Christian nationalist agenda to destroy the things that have made this country great.
		We know that if they have two more years controlling all levers of power, our country will be unrecognizable.
		That's what they're banking on.
		Authoritarianism doesn't arrive with trumpets.
		It creeps in and thrives on our hesitation to speak out, our unwillingness, our willingness to compromise with injustice.
		You look at this room, we are saying no more.
		Thank you.
		Members, any questions for this leaders?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Cheers, and I thank you for your time.
unidentified		If I could get, if I could get Lori, I believe, Stelges?
		Stelgis.
		If you could come down to this microphone, I apologize if I mispronounced that last name.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I'll show you register to testify as Ernesto Moran on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us a testimony.
unidentified		I want to acknowledge that we're land-seated and chaired by the Jumanus, Tohakani, Kickapoo, Wichita, and Comanche Nations.
		My name is Ernie Moran.
		I'm the proud son of immigrants from South America.
		I am a native-born U.S. citizen.
		I am a 30-year resident of Fort Worth, and I'm the father of three public school students.
		My oldest just graduated high school, and I'm kind of worried about him.
		And with the dismantling of the Department of Education, I'm worried how we're going to pay for his college.
		I've got a daughter in high school and a daughter in middle school, and I'm worried about the creep towards Christian nationalism in our schools in Texas.
		And I'm also a public school teacher, so I'm doubly worried about that.
		But actually, I'm here, and I'm kind of respectfully, Mr. Chair, it's ironic and kind of sad to me that we're here because I've watched two hearings already where your colleagues have asked you about the existence of this committee.
		And you simply passed the buck and said, because there's a letter, this is what we have to do.
		And you said at the start of this meeting that we had to follow the rules.
		Your response to the governor when he put this on the agenda should have been four words, because this is Texas, right?
		This is the land of six flags.
		This is the land of Waterburger.
		This is the land of Scheinerbach.
		You should have said four words to the governor.
		Don't mess with Texas.
		And your answer to the Department of Justice, your answer to the Department of Justice, instead of asking the Department of Justice to come testify, your answer to the Department of Justice should have been four words about our maps.
		Come and take them.
		So I hope you'll do as others have said here and simply do nothing until the 2030 census, and then we'll get to the business of the people.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair, here's none.
		Thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witnesses excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		At this next, at this microphone, if I can next have Karen Horgan come down.
		Karen Horgan.
		All right, I show you registered to testify as Lori Stelges.
unidentified		Stelgis.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Stelgis.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		On behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan, is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		My name is Lori Stelgis, and I'm a resident of Fort Worth, which is located in Congressional District 97.
		I would like to be on the record against the state's redistricting efforts.
		Do not submit to Trump's request.
		You should be spending our tax dollars on worthwhile efforts like how to salvage lives after natural disasters or how to better financially support our public schools.
		This effort to racially gerrymander our state is unjust and discriminatory.
		Cracking and packing by race is an intentional effort to discourage and weaken the black and brown voice and, worse yet, discourages them from bothering to vote.
		Texas just redrew the maps in 2021, making this process rushed, without transparency, heavily partisan, and one that excludes public input.
		These few meetings hastily scheduled do not fit the intent of gathering public input.
		It only checks a box.
		You haven't even shown us the new maps.
		It's absolutely unacceptable for both the House and Senate redistricting committees to be holding hearings without having maps visible to the public.
		Without a doubt, there will be lawsuits if this passes, and that is a further waste of our tax dollars.
		Texas is already the worst gerrymandered state in the nation and has a long history of passing discriminatory election laws.
		If you are intent on moving forward with redistricting, this committee must commit to holding public hearings after the maps have been drawn, but before they pass through committee.
		You must give the public time to review the maps before the hearings.
		Legislatures who drew the maps must also explain why they chose to draw them the way they did.
		If the only way to get ahead is to cheat by redrawing boundaries that discriminate by race to benefit one party, take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourself about your level of integrity.
		A tarnished reputation is a shameful legacy to leave those who follow you.
		You were elected to represent all of your constituents, not just a subset that belongs to your political party.
		Don't know.
		Members, questions for the witness.
		Chair recognizes Vice Chair Rosenthal.
		question of witness thank you mr. chairman thank you Ms. Stelves?
		Stelgis.
		Yes.
		Stelgis.
		Sorry, you made a couple of really good points that I don't want to spend a lot of time, but I want to make sure that this gets a little bit of attention.
		So is it your contention that this legislature being called in an emergency session should focus on the emergency that hand in the Hill Country?
		Well, families are still suffering, and we're up here with this political charade.
		The second thing that you brought up was about how Texas is already a gerrymandered state.
		Are you aware that every redistricting by this legislature for the past 30 years has ended up in federal court?
		Yes.
		Yes.
		And did you also know that we literally just, we are awaiting the decision on a current court case for the 2021 redistricting.
		You just heard that trial in El Paso.
		Is that right?
		Yes.
		Here's a fun fact for everyone in the room.
		The last time Texas redistricted outside of the census was 2003.
		And those maps were struck down by the United States Supreme Court as being unconstitutional.
		I want to thank you for highlighting those issues.
		Thanks for coming here today.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any other questions for this witness?
		Chair is none.
		Thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone is going to be Warren Horgan.
		If you'll make your way down, I'll show you register to testify as Karen Horgan on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Hi, my name is Karen Horgan.
		I live in Fort Worth, Congressional District 12.
		I'm a lifelong Texan, so I know that our state is pretty much gerrymandered to death already.
		I strongly oppose this attempt to redistrict.
		This is a brazen move by the governor, pressured by the president, to gain five new Republican seats in the House.
		The four districts in Texas being targeted are all represented by people of color.
		It is clearly an effort to undermine the voting strength of minority Texans.
		This is blatant racial discrimination.
		Communities of color are intentionally being split up, diluting their voting power and representation.
		No proposed maps are even available.
		There's no justification for this congressional redistricting.
		Texas maps were drawn in 2021.
		Doing it again now, mid-decade is not normal.
		We don't even have any new census data to support these maps.
		Racial data must be taken into consideration according to the Voting Rights Act.
		This special session should be used to help people impacted by the devastating floods, relief efforts, rebuilding efforts, planning better emergency preparedness systems.
		Helping Texans should be your priority.
		So Stop this racial gerrymander power grab and do something constructive for the people of Texas.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair Design, thank you for your testimony.
		Witness is excused.
		Next witness at this microphone is going to be Ryan Davenport.
		I'll show you register to testify as Warren Horgan on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That's correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Hello, my name is Warren Horgan.
		I live in Fort Worth.
		I'm a retired veteran, Congressional District 12.
		I oppose this redistricting proposal.
		Texas has a long history of passing discriminatory election laws and racially gerrymandered maps.
		This pattern continues.
		As I thought about this, I remembered a song from my youth called Fortunate Son by John Fogarty of Credence Clearwater Revival.
		The song written in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War while I was stationed at NACON Phenom was more than a protest of the war.
		It was an anthem against inequality and the idea that the rich make the decisions while the poor have no say in the matter, and yet they bear the consequences.
		The song's theme of social injustice and unquote burdens continues to resonate today.
		The chorus says, I ain't no millionaire's son.
		No, no.
		It ain't me, it ain't me.
		I ain't no fortunate one.
		No.
		It ain't me.
		It ain't me.
		The reference in this song can be applied to the racial discrimination we see today in these gerrymandered maps.
		These maps give the privileged few control over the working class and people of color whose votes are diluted and suppressed.
		We need fairly chosen representatives who will be responsive to the needs of all people, not just to billionaires and special interests.
		This is why we need districts that reflect the diversity of our state.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, questions for this witness.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair Hisan, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witnesses excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		The next witness at this microphone is going to be Cindy Rosha or Roca.
		If you'll please come down front.
		Chair calls Ryan Davenport.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Appreciate you having me.
unidentified		All right.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Give us your testimony.
unidentified		Mr. Chairman and members, my name is Ryan Davenport.
		I used to work for the Republican Party of Texas in 2010.
		I was a field director whenever President Obama was in his midterms.
		I worked for Congressman Bill Flores.
		I was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 2012 and 2016.
		I worked for Dan Patrick in the 83rd legislative session and staffed the Committee on Education.
		I was a government teacher and an economics teacher and a school leader in Dallas ISD at North Dallas High School for almost 11 years.
		And I'm here to tell you, you've lost me.
		You've lost me because the state of Texas isn't Burger King.
		Donald Trump doesn't get to have it his way.
		You don't get to walk up and say, I need five more seats because I don't want to pay the consequences for bad governance.
		You don't get to ask for five more seats to make government less responsive.
		And this is happening again on the backs of black and brown Texans who already have fewer seats than they should in Congress.
		Nine fewer seats than they should.
		I don't know how in good conscience we can do this to our fellow Texans.
		How did I get here, right?
		How did I change my mind?
		If you would have talked to me when I was a senior in high school, I would have told you I'd rather died than vote for a Democrat.
		But I tell you, I've done it twice.
		But it's because I've sat at the tables of my students who will lose their representation.
		We know this to be wrong.
		I was raised in Brazoria County, only about 10 miles away from the chairman.
		And I tell you, I know the values we were raised on.
		And I know that this is not doing right by Texans.
		We know in our hearts that this is not okay.
		I know that you are receiving pressure from the White House to do this.
		I know you are.
		And it has to be scary to stand up and say no.
		But I'm going to trust you to do the right thing because I know you to be men of good character and women of good character.
		But if Barack Obama had done this in 2010, we would have had pitchforks and torches.
		But because it's the orange man in the White House, that's okay.
		If you get in bed with Donald Trump, you can scrub all you want, but you're never going to get the orange off.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		No, there's questions for this witness.
		Fair is none.
		Thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Good.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you, Ryan.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Your excuse.
unidentified		At this next microphone, I almost said podium.
		That wouldn't make any sense.
		I had podium.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I've got Solona Vasquez.
		Salona Vasquez, if you could come down to that one.
		I'm going to come back over to you here.
		I've got, she registered to testify as Cindy Rocha.
unidentified		Cindy Rocha.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Rocha.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		On behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan, is that correct?
unidentified		That's correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I am a proud member of the Communication Workers of America and the Texas AFL-CIO.
		Thank you for the opportunity to hear our voices.
		Thank you to those who have come and taken their time and shared their voices with you.
		I was born and raised in Fort Worth, and as an adult, I moved out to a rural area in CD 25.
		North Texas is growing, and our cities continue to expand outward.
		As a member of organized labor, as well as a retiree and a resident of a rural community in the great state of Texas, I'm fortunate to hear many stories and opinions from a great cross-section of our citizens.
		I testify to you that not one of us is in favor of this redistricting scheme.
		There's certainly a reason that we only have to do it every 10 years.
		The confusion that it causes isn't bearable for more than one time, for more than that often.
		As an election worker, I've witnessed this on more than one occasion, and not only after the maps are drawn, from where do I go to vote?
		Why can't I vote where I've always voted?
		To downright disgust at the process, and they just don't want to vote at all.
		These situations cause disenfranchisement.
		Please tell us that disenfranchisement is not the point.
		Texas is already one of the hardest places in the nation to register to vote and then to vote.
		Please help qualified Texas voters vote, and please do not add additional confusion by redrawing districts that are already in litigation.
		We must get better at serving others.
		We have an obligation to serve.
		The heart of Texas beats in unity, and we have always cared for each other.
		There are so many other issues of concern that should be addressed in this special session: our safety and preparedness, our health, and the well-being of fellow Texans.
		Don't fall prey to those that try to divide us.
		We are Texas.
		We are the lone star.
		I leave from this podium with the saying that you can see in the rising sun east of the Capitol: all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their benefit.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		The witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone is going to be Deborah Spell.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		If you'll make your way down, Asho, you register to testify as Solona Vasquez.
unidentified		Selena Vasquez.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Selena, I apologize.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Look like an O.
unidentified		I got you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Selena Vasquez, on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan, is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, that is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
		Good evening, Chairman Vasut, Vice Chairman Rosenthal, and all of our state representatives and committee members on this redistricting committee.
		My name is Selena Vasquez.
		I am a resident of the city of Arlington, the American dream city.
		My family and I work, go to school, and worship right here in Arlington, Texas.
		My family is a regular family.
		I have a 17-year-old son, Diego, who plays in the marching band in Arlington ISD schools.
		I'm a teacher by training.
		I'm also on the Democratic National Committee.
		My husband, Fernando, works in higher education.
		And we're here, I'm here because they cannot be here this evening.
		I'm here for all of the regular working-class families that go to church at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in East Arlington, where my family worships.
		We're here because I'm here to express on their behalf a huge disappointment and huge opposition to drawing of any maps that are going to crack and pack the Latino voters of this county.
		I am here to let you know that families like mine who live, work, and worship here oppose any effort to disenfranchise and disempower the Latino community.
		We're opposed to the changes on any of these maps.
		I adamantly oppose changes to CD 33, a minority opportunity district created to represent African Americans, Latinos, senior citizens, and young people, because our voices will no longer be heard.
		Latino families like mine reject Donald Trump and the Republican elected officials' attempts to redraw the maps here in Texas.
		In the Latino community, we have a saying that suboto es su voz, but y'all are threatening to take away our voice in the Latino community.
		We will not stand by and allow that to happen any longer here in Texas.
		We ask that you not disenfranchise us.
		We ask that you not crack and pack us into districts, and we ask that you please vote against these mid-decade registrating efforts.
		Thank you.
		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you for your testimony.
		The witness is excused.
		Next up at this microphone is going to be Eric Wilson.
		I shall you register to testify as Deborah Spell on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional registrating plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Okay.
		We the people, not we the politician.
		Black, brown, and Asians have endured voter suppression and the inability to select representation since Section 5, pre-clearance, was gutted.
		Your maps that haven't been published will be racially biased to guarantee that minorities aren't represented and are voiceless.
		The criteria when drafting maps should be the contiguous geographical regions preserving racial communities, existing values, interests, and issues.
		The 2020 census showed redistricting wasn't necessary.
		As a taxpaying citizen, my input on issues such as infrastructure, education, health, and voting regulations, my voice should be represented by someone familiar with the district.
		Racism is the reason for gerrymandering.
		Ethnic minorities, districts, leaving us without representation.
		Texas is a minority-majority state, but it doesn't reflect representation in government.
		Gerrymandering is similar to redlining, which is racist.
		We vehemently oppose packing and cracking our districts.
		Electoral districts should be drawn as a minority district or a coalition district to achieve representation.
		I advocate for state electoral maps to be drawn by unbiased teams to ensure fairness and prevent gerrymandering, to accurately reflect the diversity of the population and not split, dilute, or pack and crack our communities.
		We are the people.
		We, the people, demand to elect our own candidates.
		There have been several laws.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please complete your testimony.
		I'm sorry.
		I'll give you another sentence if you don't mind.
unidentified		Okay, okay.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Yes, ma'am.
unidentified		I will just say that we are prepared to litigate because Texas likes litigation.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone is going to be Cheryl Smith.
		If you could make your way down.
		Cheryl Smith.
		Shall you register to testify as Eric Wilson on behalf of FWBC Social Justice, Southern Sector Rising, Alpha Sigma Lambda, and Alpha Phi, well, it's Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
		Right.
		Yeah, that was hard.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Is that correct?
unidentified		Correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		And the all-revised congressional redistricting plan.
unidentified		Yes.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Thank you for being here.
unidentified		Good evening, committee members.
		My name is Eric Wilson.
		I am former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Dallas, the ninth largest city in the United States.
		I am a resident of Dallas, Texas, specifically Oak Cliff.
		I am a voter.
		Above all, I am a concerned citizen.
		I'm here to speak out against the governor's redistricting proposal because let's call it what it really is, a power grab, plain and simple.
		And that ain't right.
		This plan isn't about fairness or balance.
		It's about carving out five new Republican districts to keep power locked away mid-decade without the public's consent and without real justification.
		And that ain't right.
		This proposal goes straight at the coalition districts, Texas Districts 9, 18, 29, and 33, districts that have long given black and Latino communities a seat at the table.
		Redrawing these lines wouldn't just move boundaries on paper.
		It will silence real voices, undermine real representation, and trample on the Voting Rights Act.
		And that ain't right.
		Districts 28, 34, and 7 are also under attack, not because people demanded change, but because some politicians fear losing control, and that ain't right.
		This isn't what democracy is supposed to look like.
		This is what fear looks like.
		Fear diversity, fear new voices, fear of people they claim to serve.
		But let me be clear.
		We see exactly what's happening, and we won't stand quietly.
		We're not pawns you can shuffle around on maps.
		We're your constituents.
		We're your neighbors.
		We're fellow Texans, and we deserve districts that are fair, legal, and truly represent who we are.
		I urge you to do the right thing.
		Reject this plan and protect the integrity of our elections because that is what's right.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair Your Son, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witness is excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone is going to be, I believe, Tara Butler or Yara Butler.
		If you'll come down, I show you register to testify as Cheryl Smith on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening.
		My name is Cheryl Smith.
		I am a retired proud resident with the Honorable Chris Turner as my state representative.
karen bass ▲ ● ▼		And I'm here to speak not only for myself, but for the generations who came before me and those who will come after me.
unidentified		My grandparents lived in a time when they couldn't vote freely.
		They marched, they organized, and they fought.
		So I could stand here today and speak into a system that once tried to silence them.
		And now, in 2025, we're back here again, fighting a different version of the same battle.
		The governor's redistricting plan is a portrayal of everything our democracy is supposed to stand for.
		It's a modern-day attempt to turn back the clock on voter representation.
		By creating five new districts, the state is not responding to population growth.
		It's responding to fear, fear of change, fear of equity, fear of rising multiracial electorate.
		But here's the thing.
		We're not going anywhere.
		We are the future and we're watching.
		And we will not allow our communities to be cracked, packed, or erased.
karen bass ▲ ● ▼		I ask you, when your children look back at this moment, will they say you stood for justice or that you stood silent?
unidentified		Reject the plan.
		Defend our future and do what's right, not what's political.
		Thank you for hearing my voice and don't ignore the people you were elected to serve.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Hearing none, thank you for your testimony, ma'am.
unidentified		You're excused.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone is going to be, I believe it's Connie Turner.
		Okay, and I show you register to testify.
		Is it Yara?
unidentified		Jara.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Got it.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Jara Butler, on behalf of Supermajority and yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan, is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Mr. Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, I know you all are tired.
		try being a black woman, and we are here because we see exactly what this redistricting plan is all about.
		A direct attack on our voices and the voices of women who are changing this state.
		This is not about fair representation, it's about fear.
muriel bowser ▲ ● ▼		Fear of a Texas that's younger, a Texas that's more diverse and more powerful than it's ever been, and an attempt to rig the rules before we even get a chance to get to the starting line.
unidentified		So let me be clear: women are not just voting in record numbers, we are organizing, we are running, we are leading, we are building, and we, the women, are the future of this state.
		But instead, instead of honoring that, some of you are drawing maps in back rooms to silence us.
		You're not protecting democracy, you're protecting your own power.
		And as Fannie Lou Hamer once said, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
muriel bowser ▲ ● ▼		And I'm going to add this: the young women of Texas are sick and tired of being underestimated, of being locked out of the decisions that affect our bodies, that affect our community, and affect our lives.
unidentified		We refuse to be cracked, packed, or carved out of our communities.
		And we are not a political inconvenience.
		We are the majority.
		Now, I come from a family, and I'm standing here today because of my grandmother, who was born with Jim Crow, and that survived generations of disenfranchisements.
muriel bowser ▲ ● ▼		Folks who paid poll taxes, were chased from ballot boxes, and lived through Jim Crow.
unidentified		Today, you may not use dogs, you may not use fire hoses, but the intention is still the same.
		So, let me just say: this is not governance, this is cheating.
		So, for every one of you, every official who has a hand in this scam, in this scheme, I say to you, you are either on the side of democracy or you are standing in the way with it.
		Either way, we are going to remember this.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Hearing none, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		excuse.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone will be Mary Trotty.
		If you'll make your way up to this microphone, Mary Trotty.
		All right.
		I show you registered to testify as is it Connie?
unidentified		Kenae.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Kenae Turner.
		On behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Okay.
		Good evening, members of the committee.
		My name is Kennae Turner.
		I'm a proud for Worthian and the executive director of the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute, a resident of House District 97, Senate District 10, and Congressional District 12.
		I am here to strongly oppose this mid-decade redistricting.
		Since my representatives serve on this committee, hello, Representative Queenie, I must express my deep disappointment if, in the case that you and Senator Phil King, who's chairing the Senate committee,
		would go into this process and participate in any amount of gerrymandering, silencing my voice and that of countless North Texans who already feel unheard and unseen by our conservative representation in Congress.
		Regardless of my zip code, I know there are members of the Texas delegation fighting for me, representing what I stand for, and protecting the needs of all Texans.
		But I cannot say much for the majority of the Texas delegation who voted to cut $1 trillion from federal programs, ensuring Texas remains the most uninsured state for health care.
		Many of those same leaders refuse to invest in public education and push policies that disenfranchise hundreds and thousands of women simply because their marital status and many more because they do not have the white, I mean right, surname.
		And we do not need five more congressional members who will continue to ignore the survival and voices of Texans because of our skin colors or our economic status.
		We need more representation that reflects the true values and growth of Texas, like members representing CD 9, 18, 29, 30, 33.
		And I urge this committee to leave our current districts intact until the 2031 redistricting cycle when we have updated census data available.
		Or at the very least, until the current maps that we're dealing with right now has exhausted all of its legal challenges since it's in court.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please complete your testimony.
unidentified		Yes, Texans deserve fair representation, not more silencing of our voices.
unidentified		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witnesses exist.
unidentified		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next up at this microphone, if you can make your way down, it's going to be Lorraine Rogson.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I show you register to testify as Mary Trotty.
unidentified		Yes.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		On behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan, is that correct?
unidentified		I would like to say good evening to the members.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		My name is Mary Trotty.
		I am 97 years old, I am proud to be a Houstonian.
		I live in our Sunnyside community in Harris County, a part of CD9.
		I have lived through Jim Crow and civil rights movement.
		Now I'm waiting and trying to live for the promise that Texas made for equality and justice.
		Now I remember we had one black member of Congress, the Honorable Barbara Jordan.
		Then came Mickey Leland.
		We fought long and hard for a representative.
		And my representative today is Al Green, C9.
		But C18, where Barbara Jordan, Craig Washington, Jackson Lee are all represented with Al Green in C9.
		C-18 was the only place where we was represented as black people.
		Now, I do not agree with the redistricting because it does nothing but put us farther back.
		We are not put together.
		I do not want it.
		I will have a voice in Sunnyside where each of us will not vote for it.
		And I am 97 years old, but I am not going to be silent.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Ms. Trotter, we thank you for coming to testify tonight.
		We appreciate it.
		We wish you well.
		That's a testament, I think, to all of us.
		And no matter how old you are, you've got a lot to say, and we thank you for hearing it.
		The witness is excused.
		Next one up at this microphone is going to be Yasin Tasnev.
		Is Lorraine Roxon here?
		Lorraine Roxon.
		Chair calls Lorraine Roxon.
		Chair will show Lorraine Roxon registered to testify on behalf of herself on the revised congressional redistricting plan, but not testifying.
		Chair calls Yassine Tusnoff.
unidentified		Yes.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I show you registered to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Before you start, the next one to come down over here will be Larry Killian.
		Larry Killian at this microphone.
		Please give us your testimony, Mr. Tusnov.
unidentified		All right.
		As we speak about deciding how to divide the land that we stand on, I begin by honoring the original stewards of this land, the Caddo, the Wichita, Comanchequa, Hiltigan, Apache, and so many others who lived on this land before us, the Indigenous people whose sovereignty and presence continues today.
		So, Chairman and members, it is wonderful to be here today.
		I was a former House staffer, so I welcome you to my school as y'all welcomed me to the Capitol this past session.
		Really appreciate it.
		So, yes, my name is Yassi Intha Sneef.
		I am a proud, queer South Asian Muslim Texan, born in Houston, raised in McAllen, and now entering my senior year at the University of Texas at Arlington.
		Mav up.
		I spent nearly all my adult life organizing young people, registering voters, and serving as an election judge.
		I was elected to our student government and served two years as a senator and one as a committee chair.
		During the 89th session, I had the privilege of working in the Texas legislature, and it's really good to see some familiar faces.
		I've missed it a lot.
		But, you know, this process just feels wrong, unfamiliar.
		This is not what I'm used to.
		And I know y'all get up to some crazy stuff in that building, but this is something else.
		See, our maps, especially districts like Texas 15, have been manipulated beyond recognition.
		Texas 15 no longer reflects the Rio Grande Valley community I grew up in.
		I mean, the valley looks like this, not like this, right?
		So, you know, it was taken, stolen, to serve partisan interests, and I strongly believe that, not the people.
		That is not just undemocratic or unconstitutional.
		It's personal, and now it's being stolen again.
		Right now, my University, UT Arlington, one of the most diverse campuses in Texas, I believe it's actually the most, but I could be wrong, is actually diluted, tucked into a mostly rural district, Texas 25, represented by Congressman Roger Williams.
		Is he here today?
		No, right, exactly.
		And he hasn't been this whole time since I've been here.
		This shouldn't happen to any more Texans, and if this continues, it will, because of how the lines are drawn.
		to the Republicans, I ask you, do you choose Trump or do you choose Texas?
		Thank you.
		And to the Democrats, please don't be polite.
		Please, quorum break again if necessary.
		Do not lend legitimacy to a process that disrespects us.
		As I said, I'm proud to be a Muslim.
		The Quran says, stand firm for justice as witnesses to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your kin.
		And as a Muslim, I can say that both the Quran and the Bible demand the same.
		Proverbs 11:1 says that the Lord detests us on his scales, but accurate weights find favour with him.
		Together, they remind us that unjust systems, rigged scales, are not neutral.
		They are a betrayal of the right to equity and democratic values, values which I actually hope to bring to the House floor with y'all someday.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please complete your testimony.
unidentified		I just have one more sentence, if that's what I'm saying.
		You got it?
		All right.
		So you know what's being done here.
		Choose to stop it.
		I hope this process backfires.
		I hope California, New York, and Illinois Jerry Mandari-Back Mary B, then we'll learn.
		And last but not least, I say, as a South Asian, verily, we too shall see.
		Thank you.
		I'm open for any questions.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Witnesses, excuse me.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		The next witness at this microphone will be Emery Calloway.
		Emery Calloway, if you make a way to.
		Chair calls Larry Killian.
		I'll show you registered to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
		I have some handouts.
		You bet.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		We'll receive those.
unidentified		I'll go ahead and start.
		I thank the committee for allowing me to speak today.
		My name is Larry Killian.
		Mayami is Larry Killian.
		Lorenzo.
		O Abuelo.
		I was born in Amarilla, Texas.
		I'm a registered voter in Harris County, Texas.
		Go Rangers.
		I vote by mail, as you can tell by the colour of my hair.
		I'll respectfully request the redistricting voter map process, if it progresses, adhere to the following objections.
		Subscribe to the democratic principle of one person, one vote, and not one person, one party.
		And for the benefit of my fellow engineer, Representative Rosenthal, I subscribe to that.
		The redistricting maps must be independently assessed by DATA AND Democracy LAB or PLAN Score and the review results published for public access and provide to the public access to uploadable district plan maps in the geospatial file containing polygon or multi-polygon.
		That's science speak that I know how to red apple and I know how to look at maps.
		Okay, more important than anything, committee, I'm a grandpa, correct?
		A Bwellow.
		Doing the right thing is never wrong.
		I have consulted with my representative and senator in Houston.
		Quorum breaking is okay.
		If you've got to go that route to shut down this farce, then do it.
		My last word is mi volto cuinta.
		My vote counts.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chairs and thank you for your testimony.
		The next witness at this microphone is going to be Nikki Creasman-Green.
		If you could make your way down.
		Chair calls Emery Calloway.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, it is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
		My name is Emery Calloway.
		I am the Vice President of the Tarrant County Young Democrats and the state Democratic Executive Committee member for Congressional District 24.
		But today I am speaking to you as a resident, a proud resident of Tarrant County.
		Just weeks ago, we went through the sham mid-census redistricting process locally right here in Tarrant County, a process that was rust, demissive of the public's concerns, wholly lacking in transparency, and designed to divide, silence, and dilute the voices of majority-minority communities.
		And now here again, we are being subjected to the same immoral agenda at the state level because you are beholden to one man, and that man is Donald Trump, rather than to the people that elected you to represent them.
		But why?
		But isn't it that why we, the people, are always up here and end up having to do your jobs for you?
		Because it is clear to me that a lot of you on this committee tonight do not have the interests at Texans at heart.
		Redistricting mid-census is not about fair maps or good governance.
		It's about control.
		It's about political power.
		And it is about finding any loophole to rig elections before people can hold their representatives to account.
		And while you may argue that gerrymandering is legal, let me remind you, just because it is legal does not mean it's right.
		We live in America.
		We clearly do not have a perfect history.
		Slavery was once legal.
		Segregation was legal.
		That didn't make them right.
		If we set this as the bar by which we hold our values, then do we really hold the promises of America up to its highest potentials?
		Democracy is not a game of who can twist the rules the furthest.
		It is a sacred trust.
		The law shouldn't be used.
		The law should be a pedestal for justice, not a low bar to crawl under for political expediency, especially when the cost is borne by everyday Texans whose votes are diluted and whose voices will be ignored.
		Texans deserve fair maps.
		The people of Tarran County saw it firsthand.
		Our county was enraged.
		Now Texas is enraged, as you can see here tonight.
		We are tired of being treated like political pawns instead of the very people you are meant to serve.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please completely.
unidentified		We, the people, are watching, and we, the people, will remember this.
unidentified		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		The next witness at this microphone will be Taylor Coleman.
		Please make your way down.
		Taylor Coleman.
unidentified		I saw you registered to testify as Nikki. Christman Green.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Nikki Christman Green, on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan, is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Okay, greetings, committee members.
		My name is Nikki Christman-Green, and I am a resident of Crowley, Texas, in Texas Senate District 10, represented by Senator Phil King, and House District 97, represented by John McQueenie.
		Hello again.
		I am testifying today to voice my strong opposition to the proposed mid-decade redistricting plan.
		As someone who thrives on competition, as a lawyer and as an avid fan of sports, I understand the value of fair play.
		Whether you're building a business, you're coaching a team, or you're coming up with a legal strategy.
		There's something deeply satisfying about a hard-earned win.
		But when someone changes the rules in the middle of the game to secure a specific outcome, it cheapens the victory and it erodes the trust.
		That is what this redistricting feels like at this point.
		I'm not opposed to redistricting as a concept when it's done at the right time and with the right data.
		It's an essential part of our democracy.
		However, this isn't that.
		The current maps that were from 2021 are actually still under litigation.
		They're still under federal review, as you've heard today.
		Multiple lawsuits challenging the 2021 redistricting maps in Texas are still pending, including Lulick versus Abbott, the United States versus Texas, and Guterres versus Abbott.
		Launching a redistricting process now without any new census data and multiple unresolved lawsuits raises serious questions about motivation and also fairness.
		And let's be honest, this isn't just political gerrymandering.
		This is racial gerrymandering.
		The targeting of districts like Congressional District 9, 18, 29, and 33, which are built on diverse minority coalitions, is not coincidental.
		It is a direct attempt to diminish the electoral power of communities of color, and that's not just wrong.
		It's illegal.
		As a taxpayer, I don't want my dollars tied up in yet another legal battle defending unconstitutional maps.
		Texas has been repeatedly found to have violated the Voting Rights Act.
		We do not need to relive this history.
		We need leadership that respects the rule of law and the value of every voter's voice.
		To my elected officials, Representative McQuinney, I ask that you understand that voting has consequences.
		So the decisions that you're making today while in office infect all of your constituents in your district, and we are watching.
		And the people of your district will not forget who stood for what and who stood for fairness.
		So I ask that you do the right thing.
		And I also want to say today that as a Christian and a God-fearing woman, there is no weapon formed against God's children that will prosper.
		So it doesn't matter what y'all do.
		We will still rise.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
unidentified		Chairs and witnesses, please.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next witness at this microphone will be Joshua Worthy.
		Joshua Worthy.
		Chair calls Taylor Coleman.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That's correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		I'm Taylor Coleman, a seventh generation Texan here from Chapel Hill, Washington County.
		That's the birthplace of Texas.
		Four years ago, I moved into a van to register voters all across this great state.
		And what I heard most on these travels is that Texans feel like their vote doesn't matter and that the political system is rigged against them.
		Today, I'm here as a candidate for Congress in the 10th congressional district that is already heavily gerrymandered from Houston to Austin.
		And I can empathize with all those Texans who feel unheard because this is my third time trying to testify in front of this body from Houston to Austin to now in Arlington.
		What's been made clear by the fact that y'all are only holding five hours of testimony across three hearings to reach 30 million Texans when we don't even have any maps to look at, it's clear that y'all aren't actually interested in hearing from us.
		It lays bare that this redistricting scheme is nothing more than a scam on the voters of Texas to rig our maps demanded by D.C. politicians who are hungry for more power.
		Since I know that some of y'all aren't from Texas, I don't know how y'all do things in Kansas, but in Texas, we don't roll over and play dead for politicians in D.C. In closing, I'd like to address the Democrats on this committee.
		Since Republicans have made it clear that they're just following orders, y'all have the opportunity to show up not just for every Texan, but for every American who deserves equal and fair representation in Washington, D.C. Republicans may be in power, but Texas Democrats are not powerless.
		You can show up for us by not showing up for this sham redistricting hearing.
		And I know that that is asking a lot from y'all, and I know that that requires y'all to put a lot on the line.
		But as Reverend Haynes said earlier, maybe consider that y'all have been elected for a time such as this.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please complete your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you.
		So if y'all break quorum and stand up for all of us by walking out, you'll have our support, you'll have our respect, you'll have our donations.
		And I hope that you all can stand up for all of us and walk out.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs on witnesses excused.
unidentified		Next witness at this microphone will be Price Warren.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Price Warren.
		Shall you register to testify as Joshua Worthy on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Vice Chair, and honorable members of the committee.
		I'm Joshua Worthy, business manager of IBW Local 220, a Navy submarine veteran, a father of three and lifelong Texan.
		I also serve on the boards for the Texas AFLCO, the Tarrant Labor Council, as well as the North Central Texas Workforce Development Board.
		I stand in strong opposition to the redistricting push, not because of maps drawn, but because of it in principle.
		Without a new census and with the previous map still under judicial review, this creates a bypass of law designed to manipulate outcomes before the courts have even spoken.
		That's not strength, it's fear.
		Redistricting is meant to ensure fair representation, not insulate incumbents through political engineering.
		Yet we see taxpayer dollars being spent on consultants and lobbyists just to protect or gain seats, not to serve communities.
		Is that good government efficiency, or is that just electioneering, fraud, waste, and abuse?
		As someone involved in the workforce development, I know that this matters.
		Gerrymandered lines fracture labor markets and distort funding for WIOA programs, dislocated worker support, veteran services, and employer access to talent.
		When districts serve political convenience instead of community need, working families lose.
		Let me share a real example.
		Our local union office is in an area that was plagued with mail theft.
		Drop boxes ripped out, checks stolen, delivery stopped entirely.
		Businesses started pulling out of the area.
		It wasn't until our local congressmen intervened to establish a secure mailroom that the issue was resolved.
		That's what local representation looks like, something this process potentially threatens.
		And that would be Congressional District 33.
		Additionally, with service members deployed abroad, manipulated district lines make access to civic engagement and voting more difficult for service members.
		At a time when the VA is already stretched and Social Security Administration is under pressure, this is the wrong direction.
		Let's talk about accountability.
		You don't redraw districts because voters are choosing who you want.
		You do it because you're afraid you might lose otherwise.
		I wanted to call it, you know, the new DEI.
		Districts engineered for incumbents, but this isn't what this is.
		This is districts engineered for insurrectionists.
		Please complete your testimony.
		Texas deserves better, especially from those who call themselves leaders.
		So I ask: do we trust voters to choose their leaders, or will we keep moving the goalpost until democracy is nothing but a show?
		So say no to this power grab.
		Say yes to fairness, trust, and the people of Texas.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair is done.
unidentified		Thank you for your testimony.
		Gentlemen, excuse me.
		Mr. Chairman.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Did I miss you by sharing?
unidentified		No, no, no.
unidentified		Question for the Chair.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair, Yils, for question.
unidentified		How much time is left for public testimony?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Approximately, I had to do a little bit of an adjustment for our break earlier.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		I believe we're at three hours and roughly 10 minutes right now, so one hour and 50 minutes.
unidentified		So I'm just going to say first, I'm loving hearing from the public, and I would move to extend that time by at least an hour.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Gentlemen, it's not recognized for that motion at this time.
		Members, any questions of the witness?
		If not, thank you, sir.
		You're excused.
		The next witness at this microphone will be Carrie Schweitzer.
		Kerry Schweitzer, if you can make your way down.
		Is Price Warwick here?
		Okay.
		I'll show you register to testify as Price Warwick on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 20 and self on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Chairman, Vice Chairman, distinguished committee members, I want to thank you for your time.
		I know that it has been a long couple of weeks, but this committee hearing is very important to hear the voices of Texans.
		My name is Price Warwick III.
		I am the principal officer of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local Union 20, a position that I am elected to by the electricians of IBW North Texas here.
		Unions are founded on the principle that every worker has a right to have their voice heard in the workplace.
		As unions, we elect our representatives on our jobs and our officers in our local and national unions.
		We hold regular live coverage shortly.
		The governing body derives its authority from the consent of the governed.
		I'm paraphrasing the Declaration of Independence here, but I want to point out that the consent cannot be given if the voices of the governed are silenced, which is exactly what the goals of the current redistricting effort are stated to be.
		I know that you have not officially seen a map, but the message of the stated goals has been broadcast loud and clear.
		We are facing the same issue with the same stated goals here in Tarrant County in the Commissioner's Court, as you heard earlier from Commissioner Elisa Simmons.
		These redistricting efforts will ensure that certain voices will be strategically silenced, and as such, their interests will not be represented in government.
		And a government that does not represent and provide for its citizens is not, by definition, a democracy.
		That is the definition of tyranny.
		To circle back to those principles from our Declaration of Independence, strategically silencing the voices of individuals in this state says to the Texans that they are not equal, that their rights can and will be infringed upon, and that their government holds authority over them without their consent.
		Instead, I ask the members of this committee to do everything in their power to uphold those principles that our nation was founded upon in any redistricting effort that it may take up.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair Hosnan, thank you for your testimony.
		The witness is excused.
		The chair will show Representative Jose Garcia present.
		The next witness at this microphone is going to be Stephen Pogue.
		Stephen Pogue.
		Chair calls Kerry Schweitzer.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I'm Kerry Schweitzer.
		I reside in CD 32.
		I oppose this special session mid-decade redistricting scheme set up by Abbott because Donald Trump told him to.
		The Texas legislature does not work for Donald Trump.
		You work for us.
		Texan voters and I, for one, am furious about this scheme, which will ultimately cheat us out of our right to choose the candidates who best represent us and our community needs.
		Ours is a country of laws and norms.
		And while the redistricting calendar is not written into law, it is the norm to draw upon a decade's worth of census data to develop a clear picture of our state's changing demographics on which to base new maps.
		Clearly, you are tossing aside what is normal.
		So, what data are you using for these mid-decade maps?
		Will you share it with the voters?
		Is it reliable?
		If not, does it even matter?
		Because the 2020 census proved that people of color accounted for 95% of Texas growth in the 1990s.
		And still, the Texas Senate set two massive new Anglo districts and tried to mash up Houston's 18th and 9th districts, people of color.
		So my point is that even under normal conditions, Texas maps typically are typically motivated to crack and pack districts.
		Our current district maps are still in litigation, as has been said so many times tonight.
		Prior to pre-clearance being dropped from the Voting Rights Act, Texas was always under federal oversight because of racist map making.
		Do not kowtow to Abbott and to Trump.
		Don't willy-nilly bust up our communities and deny our common concerns.
		Stand up for the voters of Texas.
		Protect our voting rights.
		Do your job.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chair is on the witnesses excuse.
		Next witness at this microphone will be Jeremy Sutka.
		If you'll please make your way down.
		Chair calls Stephen Pogue.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That is correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		My name is Stephen Pogue.
		I'm a resident of Mesquite, Texas.
		I will keep this short.
		I am opposed to the redistricting before the next census.
		There is no reason to do this now.
		Redistricting is being imposed on Texas by weak Republican leadership, which has surrendered to President Trump.
		Abbott, Abbott is doing Trump's dirty work here in Texas.
		You haven't even shown any maps yet.
		How can we talk about redistricting when we don't even see the maps?
		It's incredible.
		Republicans intend to further undermine the voting strength of minority Texans, disenfranchising minorities already harmed by the current gerrymandering districts.
		If you create new districts, like one I saw online stretching from East Dallas on into East Texas, all the way to the state line, to pick up multiple rural counties, that is not a community of interest.
		And listen to this.
		Trump's effort to get you guys to protect his majority in Congress is going to fail anyway.
		Trump will lose his majority in Congress in 2026, regardless of what you do.
		And so if you proceed with this, redistricting, you will have shown yourselves to be cowards, bowing down to Trump for nothing.
		You will debase yourself for nothing.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		At this microphone next will be Mary Palomares.
		If you could make your way down up to the front.
		Chair calls Jeremy Sutka.
		Shall you register to testify on behalf of the Collin County Democratic Party and yourself on the revised Congressional Redistricting Plan?
		Is that correct?
unidentified		That's correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I'm Jeremy Sutka, chair of the Collin County Democratic Party.
		I stand before you to condemn an unconstitutional and racist assault on Texas democracy.
		There is no legal basis for redistricting today.
		No new census, no court order.
		This is a raw political power grab.
		Donald Trump fears losing the House due to his toxic agenda, so he has asked Republicans to rig districts again.
		Stealing power from minority voters to prop up a failing regime.
		We must follow the rules.
		We've heard this.
		This violates our Constitution.
		Article 3, Section 28 of the Texas Constitution permits redistricting only after a census.
		No census has occurred.
		Democracy should be representative, but rather than win over voters, Republicans seek to gerrymander an even bigger, artificial majority into Texas, where we already have extreme gerrymandering.
		Democrats only hold 32% of the House seats while having 45% of the voters.
		That's gerrymandering.
		Federal courts have ruled GOP mapped intentionally discriminatory numerous times.
		While the 2021 maps are still tied up in court, the GOP is going back to redistrict again.
		Why?
		Because Trump demands it.
		Because he knows his policies can't win fair elections, even with already rigged maps.
		We demand you halt this illegal process now.
		You reject all new maps, and you put Texas over Trump.
		Do not be complicit and bow down to this want to be king.
		History sees this.
		Texans see this.
		Defend our democracy and stop this deal, or you will give voters yet another reason to vote you all out in 2026.
		If anyone in this room, and now I'm talking to the room, is not a precinct chair, get involved with your county party and do the work to vote them out.
		Thank you.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
		Chairs, thank you to the witnesses excuse.
		Chair calls Mary Palomares.
		It's Mary Palomares here.
		Chair will show Mary Palomares registered to testify on behalf of Texas Hope on the revised congressional redistricting plan, but not testifying.
		Next two witnesses up for the microphones.
		On this side, if I could get Donna Worcester to come down, and on this side, Raymond Hamden.
		Donna Worcester, Raymond Hamden.
		I show you register to testify as Raymond Hamden on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, sir, that's correct.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		Good evening, Chairman and members.
		Thank you all for being here.
		Thank you all for having me.
		I seem to have walked into a lion's den, which is okay.
		It's how we grow.
		It's how we learn.
		When we listen for understanding, it helps us all expand our horizons.
		I grew up in Fort Hood, specifically the Killeen Harker Heights area.
		Friends of all races, all religions, different socioeconomic statuses.
		Being next to a military base was a true melting pot.
		It taught us how to focus on commonalities, not differences.
		And by doing that, it allowed us to thrive regardless of circumstances.
		Coming here again was a good learning lesson because my take on it was basically this is about representation.
		Not every black or brown person is a Democrat, just like not every white person is a Republican.
		So in order to give everyone a fair say, my thought was this was correcting something that happened that was wrongful in 20 or 21.
		I like to think that this is not happening to a specific group, but this is an opportunity for all of us.
		I choose to see it as an opportunity, not Republican versus Democrat, not black versus brown versus white or anything in between.
		My hope is that we'll have a fresh perspective.
		We can choose a positive mindset.
		Again, we can see that this is an opportunity to shake things up and get some of the career politicians out who have been serving for decades with seemingly nothing, no change.
		I enjoy hearing different perspectives, like I said, and being able to hear just the momentum and the passion from one group of people.
		When we end up coming together, what could we accomplish?
		Maybe chipping away at $37 trillion of debt.
		So again, looking at this, I think it's an opportunity for us to grow and to expand.
		I appreciate your time, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Members, any questions for this witness?
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chairs, thank you for your testimony.
unidentified		Thank you, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Next witness at this microphone will be Jordan Wheatley.
		Please make your way down.
		I'll show you register to testify as Donna Worcester on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, Mr. Chairman.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		To the members of the redistricting committee, I'm a military veteran and a Texas resident of Collin County.
		I'm submitting this testimony to oppose any redistricting maps that further divide or weaken the voting power of communities like mine.
		Veterans are part of nearly every zip code in Texas.
		Yet we are often treated like political afterthoughts when lines are drawn without transparency and fairness.
		Midterm redistricting, at a minimum, as Federalist 10 reminds us, is the action of men of factious tempers and sinister designs seeking to obtain our suffrages and then betray our interests and is likely unconstitutional.
		The U.S. Constitution is clear on two points.
		Amendment 10 says powers not specifically granted to states and not prohibited are reserved to the states.
		Article 1, Section 2 clearly states that the actual enumeration will take place every subsequent 10 years.
		This statement is clear and does not leave room for any discretion to the governor or the state legislature.
		I ask that you not move forward with midterm redistricting.
		Should you decide to go forward, please keep communities whole, including communities of veterans, working families, people of color, stop the practice of packing, cracking, or manipulating districts to serve short-term power plays.
		The process requires the county line rule.
		The idea is to keep communities together because they have something in common.
		At this time of division, should we not be seeking that goal?
		I urge you to make this process fair, accessible, and grounded in the constitutional rights we swore to defend.
		Finally, I find it amazing as a former project manager for 20 years that we're here talking about a plan that you do not have.
		What you do have is a request from a misguided sponsor for something none of us want at this time.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please complete your testimony.
		Members, any questions for the witness?
		Chairs, thank you.
		The witness is excused.
unidentified		Thank you.
unidentified		We're going to take one more witness and we'll take a short break.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Chair calls Jordan Wheatley.
		I show you register to testify on behalf of yourself on the revised congressional redistricting plan.
		Is that correct?
unidentified		Yes, sir.
cody vasut ▲ ● ▼		Please give us your testimony.
unidentified		I'm Jordan Wheatley, a fourth grade public school teacher and a candidate for Congress in Texas' third congressional district.
		And since many of you sitting up there decided you needed to defund public schools, maybe you need a teacher to educate you.
		I'm someone who grew up in a forgotten place.
		You know, that kind of place where politicians only remembered you when they needed a photo op or a vote.
		And once they got what they came for, they disappeared.
		This idea of redistricting is exactly what that feels like.
		This isn't about fair representation, it's about keeping power.
		Black, brown, working-class communities like the one I live in and like the one I work in keep getting split up, packed in, and pushed aside so the people in charge can keep power, not by earning votes the old-fashioned way, but by cheating.
		You know, and I get to see in...
		Sorry.
		Because if this was about facts, you would acknowledge that 90% of the growth in Texas has come from communities of color.
		But instead of drawing maps that represent that, we're drawing maps that erase those voices and silence them and their votes.
		And that's not a coincidence, that is a strategy drawn up by the Republican Party.
		And I see the damage up close.
		My students come from families working two or three jobs just to survive in districts drawn by you all to ignore them.
		These lines you're drawing don't just shape elections, they shape lives.
		So let's stop pretending.
		This isn't redistricting, it's rigging, and people are tired of it.
		And although you may not hear us in the room during your backroom deals, I promise you, you're sure as hell going to hear us at the ballot box if you proceed with this.

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