FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jessica Ortiz, Jessicao@mifamiliavota.org

Texas - Governor Greg Abbott has turned his back on Texans to carry out Donald Trump’s orders by redrawing voting maps to lock in political power and dilute the voices of Hispanic voters. Abbott commanded state legislators to return to the state capitol for a special legislative session packed with Trump’s political agenda, instead of focusing on helping Texans recover from last month’s devastating floods. Trump himself told reporters in the White House recently that, “Texas would be the biggest one…just a simple redrawing, we pick up five [congressional] seats.” Texas State House Republicans this weekend voted a new congressional map out of committee that is expected to go to the floor of the Texas House this coming week. Mi Familia Vota has helped mobilize Texans to hearings in Houston, Arlington, and at the state Capitol over the past week to voice opposition to the new maps, and thousands of Texans have testified against this redistricting plan.

Why do they want to limit our community’s voting power? 

Follow the money:

• Abbott is allowing Trump to control him and weaken our votes in order to push an agenda that rewards billionaires with tax cuts, in a big, ugly bill – now law – that will result in millions of people losing Medicaid and other health care coverage, and needed nutrition benefits through SNAP.
• Redrawing voting lines will help Trump and Abbott stay in power and silence the voices of people concerned over the massive funding that was dumped into ICE detention and the cruel raids being carried out across our communities. 
• Just last month, a group of 20 states, NOT including Texas, sued the Trump Administration to block an illegal termination of a program that provides federal funding for natural disaster mitigation projects. The BRIC, which stands for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, was preparing to allocate $750 million in grants when the Trump Administration announced it would be canceled. The Association of State Floodplain Managers called the decision “reckless.” Trump has said FEMA should be eliminated and that states should take on more responsibility for preparing and responding to natural disasters.

Dayana Iza Presas, Texas State Director of Mi Familia Vota, released the following statement:

“Texas is being used as a testing ground for Donald Trump to consolidate power and limit political opposition. This redrawing of voting maps is a surrender on the part of the state’s Republican leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, to Donald Trump. The map reflects open hostility to every community in Texas and is clearly intended to use arbitrary lines to limit the voting power of Latinos across the state, who are now the biggest group in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott’s special session and focus on redistricting has been corrupted from day one. We need leaders who put Texans first.

Instead, the Governor is using this session to further the attack on democracy and fair elections, in a state that only reflects diversity in 13 of its 38 districts. Trump needs to weaken our voting power even more so he can continue to reward billionaires with tax cuts while taking away healthcare and Medicaid from millions of hardworking Americans; continue expanding ICE raids that separate our families; and continue dismantling the functions of government like those that help communities prepare for and respond to disasters. 

By redrawing Texas congressional maps to further secure Trump's power, Texas would clearly be violating the law while ignoring real priorities that have been pushed aside, including critical funding for the victims of last month’s flooding. We commend the brave state legislators who have left the state to deny Abbott the quorum he needs to allow Trump to take over Texas. What is happening in Texas is a pressure test for our freedoms and futures, and we all have a civic duty to make our voices heard in Texas and nationally. The rights we have now because of the brave leaders who fought for them in our history are under attack. Our communities today will stand up to defend their rights in electing who they want as leaders, not the other way around.”

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About Mi Familia Vota - Mi Familia Vota’s mission is to mobilize Latino power, through year-round activation of the electorate, and investment in local infrastructure, to advance our community’s policy priorities. Mi Familia Vota is fighting for a future where Latino voices shape and advance policies that promote the health, safety, and prosperity of Latino communities across the country.