White Texas State Republican lawmakers have locked State Rep. Nicole Collier (D), who is Black, in the state house chamber. The White Republicans demand Collier sign a “permission slip” and have a police escort in order to leave the chamber, however, Collier refuses to do so, notes the Houston Chronicle:
A Texas lawmaker found herself effectively stuck in her seat Monday, planted on the House floor after refusing to sign a political “permission slip”—a GOP-mandated form requiring Department of Public Safety escorts for Democrats who broke quorum over redistricting.
State Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) was seen sitting among her colleagues’ empty chairs after being prevented from leaving the House due to her refusal to allow law enforcement officers to accompany her out of the chamber. …
Collier was among the Democrats who returned to Texas on Monday after initially breaking quorum roughly two weeks ago over a Republican-led reconfiguration of congressional districts across the state in an attempt to wrangle five additional GOP seats in the U.S.
House—an ask that came straight from the Trump administration.
A quorum was present in the House on Monday; however, about two dozen House democrats who broke quorum appeared to remain absent from proceedings. Shortly after gaveling in, Burrows adjourned until Wednesday amid House committees convening through Monday evening.
Ryan Chandler of NBC News noted a conversation he had with Collier:
Had a convo with Rep. Collier from the gallery.
— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) August 18, 2025
“In my heart I don’t feel compelled to sign it.”
When asked what her plan is:
“I’ll just sit here, I don’t know… I guess I’ll wait til Wednesday” #txlege https://t.co/GZGqVjhLvP
Bayliss Wagner of the San Antonio Express-News reported the press has been forced to leave the chamber:
After telling press (me and @jdavidgoodman) that we were not allowed to take photos or stand up, Sgt at Arms staff said they were closing the gallery per the orders of the Sgt. at Arms
— Bayliss Wagner (@baylisswagner) August 18, 2025
(Sources: Houston Chronicle, Bayliss Wagner/Twitter/X, Ryan Chandler/Twitter/X)