We have got to recognize the cards that have been dealt, and we have got to meet fire with fire.

That was Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom throwing down the gauntlet today, saying his state will move forward to redraw congressional maps in his party's favor if Texas Republicans do the same.

Texas House Democrats have so far blocked the Republican plan by

walking out on a special session that ends tomorrow. But a second special session is set to start the same

day. For insight about whether Democrats will change their strategy moving forward, we're joined now by

Texas State Representative Ann Johnson, one of the Democrats who left the state.

Thanks for being with us.

Thank you for having me.

I appreciate you paying attention to what's happening in Texas because it's not just about affecting Texas.

It will impact the entire nation.

And the current special session, as we said, ends tomorrow.

Governor Abbott says he'll call another one immediately.

You and your Democratic colleagues have set conditions for your return. What are they?

So, one, we are taking this day by day, and the special session was supposed to go through the middle of next week, and the governor has indicated that he will try to get the Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor to sunny die tomorrow, which means ending that

session and taking away the arrest warrants that are effectively on each of our heads effectively.

And then it's up to the governor to call the next. And when he calls it, he has to determine what's

going to be on the special session agenda, meaning what does he want to talk about? And you are right.

We have successfully

stopped the clock. We are attempting to defeat this particular special session call, and it is

up to Governor Abbott what he wants to put on next. Personally, as a Democrat, I would like to see us

address the issues around public health, around public

education, and of course the flooding that has occurred in central Texas.

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