Rep.Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) raises a fist as she greets supporters from inside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier spent the night on the House floor and has not left the Chamber after refusing to have a Department of Public Safety officer escort in order to do so.

Rep.Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) raises a fist as she greets supporters from inside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier spent the night on the House floor and has not left the Chamber after refusing to have a Department of Public Safety officer escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanIdona Griffith leads a chant yelling “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Idona Griffith leads a chant yelling “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanSam Parker wears an outfit from “The Handmaid's Tale” as she protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Sam Parker wears an outfit from “The Handmaid’s Tale” as she protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanKaty Horan chants “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Katy Horan chants “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanCathy Crane chants “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Cathy Crane chants “let her out” as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanRuth, who refused to give her last name, is confronted by a State Trooper about the volume of chanting as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Ruth, who refused to give her last name, is confronted by a State Trooper about the volume of chanting as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanActivists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanRep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) exits the House Chamber as activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) exits the House Chamber as activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanRep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) greets protesters as they protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) greets protesters as they protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanActivists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanIdona Griffith leads a chant yelling “let her out” as activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Idona Griffith leads a chant yelling “let her out” as activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanActivists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanRep.Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) waves to supporters from inside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier spent the night on the House floor and has not left the Chamber after refusing to have a Department of Public Safety officer escort in order to do so.

Rep.Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) waves to supporters from inside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier spent the night on the House floor and has not left the Chamber after refusing to have a Department of Public Safety officer escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanActivists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanA woman displays a decibel meter during a chant as protesters show their disapproval for the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

A woman displays a decibel meter during a chant as protesters show their disapproval for the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanA group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

A group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanRuth, left, who withheld her last name, and her family protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Ruth, left, who withheld her last name, and her family protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanSam Parker wears an outfit from “The Handmaid's Tale” as she protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Sam Parker wears an outfit from “The Handmaid’s Tale” as she protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-StatesmanA protester’s sign is seen outside the House Chamber as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

A protester’s sign is seen outside the House Chamber as a group protests the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Texas House Democrats, who ended a 15-day walkout Monday protesting a congressional redistricting plan designed to protect the Republican majority in Congress after the 2026 midterms, will find it harder to use similar tactics moving forward.

Most of the Democratic members, who are outnumbered 88-62 in the Texas House, landed in a chartered jet at the same Austin airstrip they left from on Aug. 3. Their absence denied the House the two-thirds members required to make up a quorum and allow the chamber to function.

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See photos: Democrat activists protest Rep. Collier’s confinement on Texas House floor

House Republicans required the returning members to sign what Democrats are calling “permission slips.” On Monday, Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said previously absent Democrats would not be allowed to leave the chamber until they agreed to be released into the custody of a designated Department of Public Safety escort. The state trooper would “ensure their return to the Capitol” by 10 a.m. Wednesday for the next floor session, Burrows added.

“We are done waiting. We have a quorum,” Burrows told the chamber. “Now is the time for action. We’ll move quickly, and the schedule will be demanding until our work is complete.”

‘I just feel in my heart that this is wrong’: House Democrat locked inside chamber

One House Democrat who returned to the Capitol refused to sign the agreement for a DPS escort. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, seemed to be locked inside the chamber late on Monday after returning from the walkout.

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“I don’t have a plan,” Collier said to reporters in the gallery Monday afternoon. “I just feel in my heart that this is wrong.”

The Fort Worth representative remained in the chamber for several hours, telling reporters outside that she could stay overnight and possibly until Wednesday.

Democratic lawmaker defies GOP ‘permission slip,’ vows to remain in Texas House chamber

Protests over Collier’s situation continued until around 10:30 p.m., when the Capitol complex was shut down, the Houston Chronicle reports. At least four protestors were arrested when they refused to leave the lobby.

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Collier’s Democratic colleagues set up a live cam on the House floor, which showed Collier speaking to other Democrats and participating in interviews.

“I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts,” Collier said in the statement. “My community is majority-minority, and they expect me to stand up for their representation.”

Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, listens to House Speaker Dustin Burrows announce the need for permission slips for Democratic state representatives to leave the House Chamber during the House floor session at the Capitol in Austin, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, listens to House Speaker Dustin Burrows announce the need for permission slips for Democratic state representatives to leave the House Chamber during the House floor session at the Capitol in Austin, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Rep. Vincent Perez, D-El Paso, joined Collier in the overnight stay in the chambers. During an interview just after 6 a.m. Tuesday with District 137 Rep. Gene Wu, Collier described trying to get comfortable inside the cold space.

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“We had two chairs that we put together,” Collier said. “[Perez] slept in two chairs, I slept in two chairs.”

DPS officers personally assigned to specific Democrats

Each returning Democrat who signed the agreement was assigned a plainclothes DPS officer.

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After a Hearst Newspapers reporter asked who his designated escort was, state Rep. John Bryant said, “I don’t know.”

“I am,” the man standing next to him said. When Bryant asked the trooper if he was coming home to Dallas with him, the officer responded. “They told me I have to stay glued to your hip.”

The officer assigned to Bryant did not provide his full name.

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— The Associated Press, and Texas Politics Reporters Bayliss Wagner and John Moritz contributed to this report.