• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email

Beto O'Rourke confronted on financial cost of Democrats fleeing state over redistricting vote

Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke was asked if the money spent helping Democrats flee Texas to avoid a redistricting vote was "worth it," in a CNN interview Wednesday.

Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke was pressed during a CNN interview on Wednesday about why he was helping cover costs for Democrats fleeing Texas to avoid a redistricting vote, rather than spending that money to help vulnerable Texans directly.

O'Rourke's group, Powered by People (PBP), has played a major role in supporting the roughly 50 Democrats who left for New York and Illinois. The group is paying for airfare, lodging, and assisting with the $500-per-day fines the lawmakers face for skipping the legislative session, according to the Texas Tribune.

The walkout by Texas Democrats has stalled the Republican-controlled state legislature from voting on new GOP-crafted congressional maps that would create five more right-leaning congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections.

During the Wednesday interview, CNN anchor Pamela Brown pointed out that O’Rourke’s group spent more than half a million dollars in 2021 to help Democrats flee the state to break quorum during a similar protest over a voting bill that ultimately passed. 

Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke's group, Powered by People, has helped support the roughly 50 Democrats who fled Texas to skip the legislative session and prevent the GOP from voting on a new congressional map. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

BETO O'ROURKE DROPS F-BOMB AS HE URGES DEMS TO 'MEET FIRE WITH FIRE' AGAINST GOP REDISTRICTING PLANS IN TEXAS

"We could see a similar scenario this time around. Is it worth it?" Brown asked.

"Absolutely," O’Rourke responded. "If we fail, the consolidation of authoritarian power in America will be nearly unstoppable."

O’Rourke argued that every American should be invested in helping the Texas Democrats, warning that a Republican congressional majority would "roll out a royal red carpet for a Trump third term," including more ICE raids and "more retribution and persecution and even violence for Trump’s political opponents."

Brown challenged O’Rourke on whether the funds might be "better spent" aiding vulnerable Texans instead.

Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke defended helping fund Texas Democrats flee the state to stall a redistricting vote. (CNN/Screenshot)

NEWSOM VOWS TO FIGHT ‘FIRE WITH FIRE’ IN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING BATTLE

"We've seen it in the past—they flee, but then inevitably they have to come back, right? You can't just stay out in perpetuity, and the governor can continue to call these special sessions," she said. "Do you think the money could be better spent helping those folks you mentioned?"

O’Rourke defended the Democrats' efforts, saying, "I actually believe that they can stay out long enough to stop this steal in Texas."

He praised Democratic governors like California’s Gavin Newsom for threatening to pursue similar redistricting tactics if Texas’s effort goes forward.

"We have to stop their power grab. We have to win power, and then we have to use it to provide a check on Donald Trump," he urged.

A split photo of Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, right, next to a photo of a nearly empty Texas House of Representatives in Austin, Texas. Democrats fled the state in August in an effort to block Gov. Greg Abbott's attempt at redistricting.  (Getty Images )

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Brown referenced O’Rourke calling on Democrats to "fight fire with fire" and pointed to Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent meeting with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun to discuss redistricting in that state.

"Where does this end?" she asked.

"It ends with Democrats winning power," O'Rourke said. "I think for far too long, my party has been more concerned with being right and coloring within the lines than they’ve cared about being in power — while the other side only cares about power, regardless of what is right, what is ethical, or what is legal, even."

"So we’ve got to take the gloves off, and we’ve got to fight them. We’ve got to seize the initiative and stop waiting for these would-be fascists to land the punch — and throw ours first and throw it harder," he added.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called for the lawmakers to be arrested and prosecuted upon their return to the state.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

• ·我有一个秘密I Have a Secret
• ·还原度极高！ 阿什莉体模cos《最终幻想7》爱丽丝
• ·奔跑吧，少年！2021青马·马术夏令营，开营啦~
• ·网购月饼被快递偷吃 管理落后频现内鬼
• ·七月半3：灵触第七感
• ·优化职业发展路径，获国家认证从业资格——中马协星级专业教练培训报名中
• ·初三议论文：初三，奋斗方无悔
• ·不要放弃 Dont give up
• ·《浪浪山小妖怪》自曝致敬多部影视游戏 包括《黑神话：悟空》《戏台》
• ·央视新闻报道！樊振东德甲首秀时间公布，备战训练视频曝光
• ·央视新闻报道！樊振东德甲首秀时间公布，备战训练视频曝光
• ·优化职业发展路径，获国家认证从业资格——中马协星级专业教练培训报名中
• ·高温+暴雨+强对流三预警齐发 这些区域需防范8级以上雷暴大风
• ·我打造了仙秦多元宇宙帝国
• ·预防“两热”｜AI科普歌曲《冇蚊题》
• ·霉霉对一45岁男子申请限制令 男子幻想霉霉是其孩子生母