In a bold defense of voting rights, Texas Democrats took extraordinary measures to block a racially discriminatory redistricting plan by fleeing the state—a constitutional tactic that forced a critical delay and drew national attention to Republican efforts to cheat in the next election.
Their actions stand in stark contrast to Congressional Republicans— including New Jersey Representatives Christopher H. Smith, Thomas H. Kean, Jr., and Jefferson Van Drew—who abruptly shut down the House to avoid transparency and shield powerful interests from scrutiny in the unfolding Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Texas legislation, widely condemned as one of the most aggressive gerrymanders in modern history, aimed to create five additional GOP-leaning districts by dismantling minority-represented areas.
Representative Al Green rightly called it “something Jim Crow would be proud of.”
Without any other recourse within the Republican-dominated legislature, Democrats used the only tool available to them: denying a quorum.
Their temporary absence from the state was not an avoidance of duty, but a fulfillment of it—an act of civil disobedience to protect constitutional rights and prevent a racially motivated mapping of districts.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder captured the moral necessity of the move, stating, “The authoritarian move that was dictated to Texas by the White House needs to be opposed by any means necessary.”
When Democrats returned, they were met with further authoritarian tactics—Republicans locked down the Capitol and required representatives to be escorted by police to leave the building, a shocking breach of legislative norms and democratic principles.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Republicans displayed profound hypocrisy by cutting their session short to avoid the scheduled release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Their early recess represents a blatant avoidance of congressional responsibility and transparency—especially as the files are expected to contain information about powerful individuals, including Trump, who socialized with Epstein in the early 2000s.
“Rather than grow a backbone and stand up for what’s right, Republicans fled the US Capitol to avoid releasing the FBI files on Jeffrey Epstein to protect Donald Trump,” said anti-establishment progressive New Jersey Democrat Lisa McCormick. “New Jersey deserves representatives who deliver results, not like Kean, who is protecting child predators and child traffickers.”
“When Republicans Tom Kean Jr., Chris Smith, and Jeff VanDrew opted to protect Trump and other friends of the notorious pedophile, they brought infinite shame upon themselves,” said McCormick. “It’s very clear that Kean, Smith, and VanDrew are satisfied with two sets of rules in this country. They’re willing to overlook breaking any law, no matter how heinous, when it comes to those with wealth and power.”
This is not the first time the former administration faced scrutiny over its handling of the Epstein case. A Quinnipiac poll found that 63% of Americans disapprove of how Trump’s Justice Department managed the investigation.
Two victims of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring have since come forward, accusing the DOJ of protecting the dead financier’s wealthy associates rather than prioritizing justice.
While Texas Democrats risked arrest to stand up for fair representation, Republicans in Congress chose to turn away from their duty to oversee and inform.
One party is fighting to expand democracy; the other is running from accountability. The contrast could not be clearer—or more damning.