Texas State Representative Nicole Collier spent Monday night locked inside the Texas Capitol building after refusing to comply with Republican demands for round-the-clock police surveillance.
Collier, a Democratic representative from Fort Worth serving District 95, chose to remain confined within the House chamber rather than sign what Democrats called “permission slips” authorizing Texas Department of Public Safety officers to monitor her movements around the Capitol. The requirement came after Democrats returned to Austin on Monday following a two-week walkout designed to block Republican redistricting efforts backed by President Donald Trump.
“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 declared in a statement before settling in for the night on the House floor. She added, “When I press that button to vote, I know these maps will harm my constituents—I won’t just go along quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination.”
House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, implemented the escort requirement to ensure Democrats would remain present for the redistricting vote scheduled for Wednesday. While most returning Democrats reluctantly agreed to the surveillance, Collier stood her ground, effectively staging a sit-in protest.
Collier filed a habeas corpus petition in Travis County district court alleging “illegal confinement” and requesting immediate release from what she characterized as unlawful detention. Her attorneys argued that while Texas law permits compelling absent members to attend legislative sessions, no such authority exists to detain present members.
“Representative Collier has been informed that she is not free to leave the Capitol,” the lawsuit stated. “Chairman of the Committee on House Administration Charlie Geren informed Representative Collier, ‘If you leave the Capitol, you are subject to arrest.'”
Collier spent the night sleeping between chairs on the House floor, surrounded by snacks including dried peaches, popcorn, and instant noodles brought by supporters. She posted a photo Tuesday morning showing herself in a sleep mask and bonnet, captioned “This was my night, bonnet and all.”
Two fellow Democratic representatives, Gene Wu and Vince Perez, joined Collier overnight in solidarity, despite having signed the permission slips themselves. Their assigned police officers remained stationed in the chamber throughout the night.
The confrontation stems from President Trump’s demand that Texas create five additional Republican-leaning congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Currently, Republicans hold 25 of Texas’s 38 U.S. House seats. The proposed redistricting would create 30 “Republican-leaning” districts.
In response to Texas’s redistricting efforts, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans for his state to redraw congressional maps that could provide Democrats with five additional seats. Unlike Texas, where partisan lawmakers can approve maps directly, California requires voter approval through a special referendum scheduled for November.
At least eight Texas House Democrats publicly tore up their “permission slips” on Tuesday evening and returned to the House chamber to spend the night with Collier. Representatives Gene Wu (District 137) and Vince Perez (District 77) continue their support for Collier, having already spent Monday night with her on the House floor despite having signed their permission slips.
