Texas GOP is threatening to arrest Democratic lawmakers unless they return to vote on redrawing the congressional map. And, two NASA satellite missions that scientists and farmers rely on could end.
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Republican leaders in Texas have threatened to arrest Democratic lawmakers or expel them from the legislature if they don’t return to the state House. Over the weekend, Democrats fled the state to prevent a vote on a bill aimed at redrawing Texas’ congressional maps. This bill is seen as favoring Republicans, as it creates five new GOP-leaning districts, which President Trump has advocated for. Republicans currently control the Texas House, but without Democrats present, they fall short of the 100-member quorum needed to conduct business.
???? Democrats claim that Black and Latino districts are being targeted to diminish the influence of non-white voices in Congress, Lauren McGaughy of The Texas Newsroom tells Up First. Texas Republicans argue that this is not about race but rather about political parties. Democratic states like California have been discussing their own redistricting efforts, which could counter what the president wants to happen in Texas. The redistricting in Texas could lead to a lengthy, nationwide battle over voting maps, McGaughy says.
The Trump administration has requested that NASA employees create plans to terminate two major satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide. The data they collect is widely used by scientists, oil and gas companies and farmers. They are the only two federal satellite missions designed and built to track planet-warming greenhouse gases.
???? Several scientists who use the satellite data informed NPR’s Rebecca Hersher that everything has been working great for them. One of the missions has a free-flying satellite orbiting the Earth. If the plan is carried out, it would be permanently terminated and would burn up in the atmosphere. The second satellite is attached to the International Space Station and would be turned off.
