In an extraordinary display of drama at the Texas State House, Democratic Rep. Gina Hinojosa appeared on the verge of tears while questioning whether she could leave the chamber without being arrested — all amid a heated debate over the state’s new voting district maps. The spectacle unfolded after Democrats ended a two-week walkout aimed at stalling the GOP’s redistricting plan ahead of upcoming elections.
Hinojosa’s theatrics began when she asked, “If I leave, if I attempt to leave this chamber today without signing a permission slip, am I subject to arrest by the government?” The Republican Speaker calmly responded, “As I stated today, no one will be able to leave the chamber without a permission slip.”
Refusing to back down, Hinojosa tried to entangle the speaker in a legal debate over the Texas Constitution, nearly sobbing as she asked, “Is an arrest under the call of the house not prohibited by Article Three, section 14 of the Texas Constitution that prohibits members from being arrested during the legislative session?” The speaker held firm, replying, “That is a general question. The chair declines to answer.”
Barely holding back tears, Hinojosa continued, pressing her point: “If I attempt to leave this floor today with this call of the house on me, why am I not protected from arrest by Article Three, section 14 of the Texas Constitution?” Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows had little patience for the theatrics, explaining, “There are separate provisions under the Constitution that provide for maintaining and compelling a quorum. They are separate, as Ms. Hinojosa has previously stated. Under the call of the house, there are permission slips that you are welcome to take.”
The episode highlights the absurdity of Democratic obstruction in the face of necessary electoral reforms. The new maps, which are designed to reflect population shifts and maintain fair representation, have predictably sparked outrage from left-wing lawmakers.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) also erupted over the maps, which would flip five Democratic-leaning House seats in favor of Republicans. “The Republicans, they are cheaters all day, every day. But we have never tried to match their energy until now,” Crockett fumed. She even invoked far-left California as an example of Democrats pushing back, insisting, “You can stop this right now if you just say, ‘Hey, we will stop in Texas,’ because California doesn’t go into play unless Texas does.”
The California comparison was bizarre and irrelevant, but it underscored the Democrats’ desperation. Left-wing lawmakers nationwide have been aiding and abetting walkouts and disruptions in Texas, while Republican leaders like AG Ken Paxton promised accountability for those attempting to evade their responsibilities.
Hinojosa and her colleagues’ emotional theatrics are part of a broader pattern of obstruction by the left — a refusal to accept fair and transparent elections. While Democrats cry and make constitutional arguments for show, Republicans continue to push forward, ensuring that the state’s electoral process is secure, fair, and reflective of the people’s will.
In short, Texas Republicans are enforcing the rules and protecting the integrity of the vote, while the left continues to indulge in tantrums and political theater. It’s a stark reminder of the Democrats’ willingness to put spectacle over governance — and of the GOP’s commitment to standing firm in the face of the chaos.
