Michelle Collier Held at Texas Capitol
Michelle Collier, Democratic Representative to the Texas House of Representatives —Ft. Worth District 95
As of an hour ago, Representative Collier remains resolute, defying a direct order by the Texas House of Representatives Speaker Dustin Burrows. The order prevents Democrat representatives, recently returned from self-imposed exile, from leaving the House without signing a a slip of paper placing them in the custody of an officer to ensure they return on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, for a redistricting vote—a vote that effectively gerrymanders districts to provide the five additional Republican seats Trump asked Governor Abbott to provide.
The note, reminiscent of a hall pass we used to get to go to the bathroom in junior high, places her under supervision by a police officer. Let’s be clear. If a person is placed under supervision, and is denied the right to forgo that supervision, they have been arrested.
This was not about representatives not doing their jobs. This is about taking a stand to ensure that the Trump-demanded gerrymandering not be allowed to take place. The only way to stop this madness was to prevent a quorum. Hence, everyone jumps on a plane and leaves town.
“(She) fights alone in the night-time gloom of the House floor”
Michelle Collier Stands Alone
But the threats of arrest and $500/day fines were too much for most representatives. They came home, signed the permission slips and returned to their houses— submitting to being watched like criminals. Except for one.
Representative Michelle Collier of Ft. Worth District 95 fights alone in the night-time gloom of the House floor. The largest room in the Texas State Capitol gives way to hair-pin echoes off cold marble when the Capitol is free of tourists, Congress and staff. It is an imposing place to be alone with one’s thoughts.
Having come to the House straight from the airport, she points to her bags packed with two weeks worth of clothing. She doesn’t plan to leave any time soon.
Government Ethics at an All-Time Low
There is no place for this behavior in our government. A president doesn’t get to pick up a phone and tell a governor to get more electoral seats, or to demand that a governor “find” more votes. However, such illegal demands seem to be de rigueur under this regime.
Now, Texas points a finger of shame at California for daring to do exactly what Texas Republicans have determined to do. Funny how that happens.