Former President Barack Obama on Thursday joined a virtual meeting with Texas House Democrats who left the state to deny Republicans the ability to pass newly drawn GOP-favorable congressional maps, cheering on their efforts and stressing their work comes at a critical time in the fight against partisan gerrymandering.
ABC News is first to report on the meeting and its contents.
“We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by and so because of your actions, because of your courage, what you’ve seen is California responding, other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering,” Obama told the Texas legislators as they gathered in Illinois.
MORE: California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says
He continued: “I want all of you to be returning feeling invigorated and know that you have helped to lead what is going to be a long struggle. It’s not going to be resolved right away, and it’s going to require, ultimately, the American people understanding the stakes and realizing that we cannot take our freedoms and our democracy for granted. You’ve helped set the tone for that, and I’m grateful for it.”
He continued: “I want all of you to be returning feeling invigorated and know that you have helped to lead what is going to be a long struggle. It’s not going to be resolved right away, and it’s going to require, ultimately, the American people understanding the stakes and realizing that we cannot take our freedoms and our democracy for granted. You’ve helped set the tone for that, and I’m grateful for it.”
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, who chairs the state’s House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement to ABC News that members were “especially excited” about the meeting and Obama’s involvement is proof that their actions are supported by their party “at every level.”
“Having President Obama speak with us and support us is proof that when Texas House Democrats stand up and fight back, we don’t stand alone — we have the support of Democrats at every level who understand that when Republicans attack voting rights in Texas, they’re attacking the foundation of our democracy everywhere,” Wu said.
Wu said Democrats had to hold the meeting virtually because of “Republican threats,” which he said is proof of desperation from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“The fact that we have to meet President Obama from an undisclosed location and via Zoom because of Republican threats and surveillance only proves how desperate Abbott and his extremist allies have become,” Wu said. “They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling apart, so they’re resorting to intimidation tactics. But President Obama’s support shows the whole country is watching — and Texas House Democrats won’t be silenced by bullies.”
Obama was joined on the call by former Attorney General Eric Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC). During the conversation, Holder updated the caucus on his committee’s plans to push back on Republican efforts to encourage other red states to redraw congressional maps more favorable to Republicans to get an edge for the midterms.
The former president will continue to highlight the ongoing redistricting standoffs later this month when he headlines a fundraiser in Martha’s Vineyard hosted by the NDRC.
Holder and Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi will also attend the event, which is scheduled for Aug. 19.
Wu said Thursday that the group could return to the state soon on two conditions: if the legislature’s first special session adjourns Friday and if California Democrats introduce their redistricting proposal that would offset proposed Texas maps. Both of those instances are likely to happen Friday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that he was moving forward with putting proposed new congressional maps for the state on the ballot in a Nov. 4 special election in an attempt to counter Texas’ plans.
He said state government will affirm its commitment to California’s independent redistricting commission after the 2030 census, “but we’re asking the voters for their consent to do midterm redistricting in 2026, 2028, and 2030 for the congressional maps to respond to what’s happening in Texas … and we’ll do so in a way that also affirms our desire as a state to level the playing field all across the United States.”
The California legislature will have to pass legislation to put the redrawn maps on the ballot.
ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.
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