Texas Lawmaker Nicole Collier Stands Firm on House Floor for Over 24 Hours
So, here’s the story you might have seen making headlines: Texas Democratic state Representative Nicole Collier has now spent more than 24 hours on the floor of the state House in Austin—and she isn’t planning on leaving anytime soon. This all started when Collier returned to the Capitol after a dramatic move by Texas Democrats earlier this month, who had fled the state to block a controversial Republican redistricting plan.
When they came back, House Speaker Dustin Burrows laid down some strict rules. He said Democrats could only leave the House floor if they signed a written permission slip and agreed to be under the watch of law enforcement until the chamber reconvenes. The idea was to ensure they’d be present for the special session on Wednesday morning, which was crucial for advancing the redrawn congressional maps. Most Democrats accepted the rules and complied, showing reporters their “permission slips” and walking with officers around the Capitol.
But Nicole Collier refused. She wouldn’t sign the document or agree to be constantly monitored. Instead, she has remained on the House floor, allowed to leave only under the escort of a law enforcement officer if she needs to get back to her office. She’s making it clear that her decision isn’t just about rules—it’s about standing up for her constituents, most of whom are from minority communities. Collier has said repeatedly that she won’t compromise her dignity or give in to what she sees as intimidation or discrimination from Republicans.
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She hasn’t been entirely alone. Democratic Reps. Gene Wu and Vince Perez stayed with her through the night. Perez left early this morning, but Wu remained, documenting their makeshift “survival kit” of snacks like dried peaches, freeze-dried grapes, popcorn, and ramen. Collier’s stance has been praised by figures like Beto O’Rourke, who called her a hero on social media, highlighting her willingness to resist alone if necessary.
The broader context is the Republican effort, pushed by Governor Greg Abbott and other GOP leaders, to redraw Texas’s congressional districts mid-decade—a move largely seen as a tactic to solidify their narrow House majority ahead of the midterms. Texas Democrats initially fled to other states to avoid civil arrest warrants and prevent a quorum, but Collier’s decision to stay and resist the law enforcement escort marks a new chapter in this ongoing battle.
House Speaker Burrows has made it clear that Collier is well within her rights to stay and refuses to let her actions distract from legislative work. This protest comes amid a national conversation about gerrymandering, redistricting, and minority representation, with both parties watching each other closely for any advantage in upcoming elections.
Nicole Collier’s 24-hour vigil is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a statement about standing up to political pressure and defending the voices of those who elected her, all while challenging the mechanisms used to control lawmakers’ movements. It’s a dramatic scene in Austin that reflects both the tension and determination in today’s Texas politics.
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