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LetMyPeopleVote

(169,760 posts) Tue Aug 19, 2025, 04:43 PM Aug 19

Texas Democrat Sues After Republicans Lock Her In Capitol

Source: Huffpost

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier filed a writ of habeas corpus on Tuesday in the district court of Travis County, Texas, claiming the state legislature’s Republican majority has unlawfully detained her in the state Capitol after she refused to consent to 24-hour police surveillance.

Collier, a Democrat representing Fort Worth, is one of over 50 Texas Democratic legislators who fled the state on Aug. 3 to block Republicans from enacting a new congressional map at President Donald Trump’s urging to create five new GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Most of the Democrats who fled the state returned Monday and quickly faced retaliation from Republicans. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, required each Democratic legislator to sign a permission slip agreeing to have a 24-hour police escort to ensure they attended votes regarding the new map. The House is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday. Collier refused to sign the slip and was subsequently locked on the House floor with armed guards keeping her there.

“Representative Collier has been informed that she is not free to leave the Capitol,” the lawsuit states. “Chairman of the Committee on House Administration Charlie Geren informed Representative Collier, ‘If you leave the Capitol you are subject to arrest.’”

Collier’s suit argues this is effectively an illegal confinement. Burrows “does not have the power to compel any Texas citizen or any elected official into preemptive custody,” her suit argues.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nicole-collier-texas-redistricting-lawsuit_n_68a4bb2fe4b028ce77545b20

Texas Democrat Sues After Republicans Lock Her In Capitol Big TEXAS LAW SUIT
— SIL (@sil5555.bsky.social) 2025-08-19T19:44:13.371Z

10 replies

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Highlight:

Texas Democrat Sues After Republicans Lock Her In Capitol (Original Post) LetMyPeopleVote Aug 19 OP

Well done - and good for her FBaggins Aug 19 #1

Looks good on paper. The Grand Illuminist Aug 19 #2

Shouldn't Americans be descending on Austin? lastlib Aug 19 #3

It's a crime and the people doing this should be arrested. cstanleytech Aug 19 #4

Kidnapping is against the law Puppyjive Aug 19 #5

Hate to say it, but i feel she will have to leave the capital,and bluestarone Aug 19 #6

Maybe all of the Texas Dems need to get themselves arrested jgmiller Aug 19 #7

Rep Collier has filed a habeas petition, challenging the House's requirement that members who returned from their quorum LetMyPeopleVote Aug 19 #8

Rep. Nicole Collier is a former trial lawyer with over 20 years in the field. LetMyPeopleVote Aug 19 #9

HOW is this legal Blue_playwright Aug 19 #10

FBaggins

(28,430 posts)

1. Well done - and good for her

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:04 PM

Aug 19

IMO - it will come down to whether or not the end of a special session is relevant when interpreting Article 3 Section 10 of the state Constitution... along with what rules the chamber set for compelling attendance.

Collier reasonably argues that she isn't currently absent (and presumably hasn't been since the new session began). That almost certainly wouldn't be enough in a normal quorum break. If the sargent at arms tracked her down two weeks ago and dragged her into the chamber... she couldn't then argue that she now isn't absent so they can't keep her from leaving.

But the session ended in between her absence and the current events.

It probably doesn't matter because the vote will be held before it makes a difference - but it's an interesting thought puzzle.

The Grand Illuminist

(1,894 posts)

2. Looks good on paper.

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:11 PM

Aug 19

But she'll get a very lush settlement and then this situation will be forgotten months later.

lastlib

(26,699 posts)

3. Shouldn't Americans be descending on Austin?

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:12 PM

Aug 19

Surrounding the capitol building? If SHE can't get out, THEY don't get out!!

cstanleytech

(27,940 posts)

4. It's a crime and the people doing this should be arrested.

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:16 PM

Aug 19

Puppyjive

(833 posts)

5. Kidnapping is against the law

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:30 PM

Aug 19

I hope they pay dearly.

bluestarone

(20,284 posts)

6. Hate to say it, but i feel she will have to leave the capital,and

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:46 PM

Aug 19

Force them to arrest her. THAT would be something that a judge could be forced to make a decision. I'm 1000% behind what she is doing, but an arrest would be very unconstitutional, i feel.

jgmiller

(640 posts)

7. Maybe all of the Texas Dems need to get themselves arrested

Reply to LetMyPeopleVote (Original post)

Tue Aug 19, 2025, 05:47 PM

Aug 19

and then when Abbott reconvenes the legislature for the vote they will be in jail and won't be able to have a quorum. If they transport them to the state house and try to force them to vote I would think that would be a further violation of their rights and invalidate the quorum.