Rep. Walle (front left) joins his fellow Texas House Democrats in a crowd of hundreds in downtown Chicago rallying in opposition to President Trump’s Congressional redistricting scheme.
Neighbors and Friends:
This past month, Texas Republicans advanced a racially gerrymandered map designed to deliver Donald Trump five more votes in Congress by carving up communities and diluting minority representation in Congressional Districts like ours. In response, my fellow House Democrats and I left the state to shine a national spotlight on what was happening in Texas.
At the beginning of August, I went with a small group of legislators to the National Conference of State Legislatures in Boston to share our message. There, my colleagues and I were recognized by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has been a huge supporter of our effort. I also met with leaders from the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Secretary of State William Galvin, and stood with legislators from across the country to call out how these maps threaten to carve up Congressional District 29, where all my constituents in House District 140 live.
State Rep. Armando Walle joins legislators from more than 35 other states on the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act to call attention to President Trump and Gov. Abbott's mid-decade redistricting scheme to carve apart communities of interest in Texas.
Our efforts paid off. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his state is prepared to redraw its congressional map in response to our call, helping neutralize the Trump–Abbott plan. With that victory, the fight now returns to Texas. On the House Floor, we will challenge these maps that violate the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act, while building the public record needed for the upcoming court battle.
But this fight is not over. Republicans are still taking extreme measures. On Tuesday, they pushed through an even worse version of the map for CD 29 in a closed committee meeting with no public input. We expect it on the House Floor Wednesday — an accelerated timeline that puts this partisan scheme ahead of urgent needs like flood relief and recovery funds for families in the Hill Country.
I need your help. Talk to your neighbors, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Together, we can protect our community’s voice and our future.
In solidarity,
Rep. Armando Walle
Open Positions in District Office
After 16 years of service to House District 140, our District Director Myriam Saldivar has moved on to another position. We are so grateful for all her work for our communities!
We are hiring in our District Office. Click on the links below for more information.
Rep. Armando Walle will host a town hall for constituents of House District 140 on Monday, September 29th.
House District 140 Town Hall
Monday, Sept. 29th
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Assumption Catholic Church
901 Roselane Street
Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser!
Join Rep. Walle and his host committee of local elected officials and community leaders for a fundraiser to kickoff his re-election campaign for House District 140.
Texas Democrats stalled an attempt to redraw voting maps. What's next? | National Public Radio
“We know we're in a tough fight, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't fight back and to awaken the national consciousness, because your state could be next,” (Rep. Armando Walle) said. “Your votes could be diluted in your community. It could happen here, anywhere across the state. So I'm here to kind of spread the word about that because it's coming.”
Democrats say Greg Abbott is holding up flood relief. Are they right? | Houston Chronicle
Democrats say he could have used that authority in the weeks between the July 4 flooding and the start of the special session on July 21. They also say he could easily make the transfers after this first special session wraps and before he calls another one to push through redistricting.
“This issue is being hijacked by political gamesmanship,” said state Rep. Armando Walle, a Houston Democrat who sits on the Legislative Budget Board. “You don’t need a bill to get these people the dollars they need now. The governor can write a check.”
This Week in Texas: Redistricting standoff in Austin and an effort to build political consensus | ABC 13
In the latest episode of This Week in Texas, ABC13 focuses on the political standoff in Austin after Texas Democrats leave the state and deny quorum in the house, effectively putting an end to the special session and delaying a redistricting effort led by President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott.
Rep. Walle speaks at the Worker’s Defense Rally in Houston on June 17th in support of increased heat safety protections for manufacturing workers.
Neighbors and Friends:
One year ago, Hurricane Beryl swept through our region, leaving behind a path of destruction that many in Harris County are still working to recover from. Our communities were tested — and for many of us, recovery is still ongoing.
More recently, our neighbors in the Hill Country have faced devastating floods that remind us just how vulnerable our state is to the forces of nature. Harris County may be miles away, but we share in their pain and in their fight to recover.
If you’re able, I encourage you to join me in donating to trusted relief efforts helping communities hit hardest by these disasters. Learn more at theKerr County Relief Fundwebsite.
This latest disaster underscores the importance of the state making targeted and effective investments in infrastructure through the Legislative process. This is a top priority of mine. During the 89th Legislative Session, I fought to make flood control and disaster preparedness a top priority. Keep reading to learn more about some of the investments I secured for House District 140 infrastructure this session.
But even as we make progress, we can’t ignore the setbacks. One of the most disappointing moments this year was Governor Abbott’s decision to veto the Summer EBT meals program — a vital initiative State Rep. Toni Rose of Dallas and I have worked on for years to draw down a billion dollars in federal money to make sure kids don’t go hungry when school is out.
It’s not too late to do the right thing.I implore the Governor to reconsider. There are millions of Texas children in need this summer — and we can only imagine how that number might increase given the ongoing recovery efforts in the Hill Country.
Our work isn’t done. As your elected representative, I will keep investigating the gaps in our state’s disaster response and recovery systems, and delivering real relief for Texas families. Texas has been through a lot the last few years, but when we work together, we overcome.
Sincerely,
Rep. Armando Walle
Rep. Walle Secures Over $200 Million in State Budget
Rep. Walle serves as the Subcommittee Chair of Articles VI, VII & VIII on the House Appropriations Committee. Through his work on the state budget, he successfully secured millions of dollars in key investments for public safety, food insecurity, and child care. He also brought home funding for flood infrastructure and park development projects in North Houston/Harris County, including:
$2 million for Doss Park
$2 million for Melrose Park
$2 million for Warren Park
$6 million for water connections in Airline Improvement District
$12 million for water connections in the Sunbelt Fresh Water Supply District
$15 million for the Helms Stormwater Detention Basin Conveyance Project in Halls Bayou
$2.5 million for the Aldine Westfield Stormwater Detention Basin
Gov. Abbott Vetoes Funding to Feed Texas Kids
Gov. Abbott’s veto of $60 million in funding for the Summer EBT program marks a significant setback for efforts to address child hunger in Texas. Representative Armando Walle, who championed the measure, worked with a coalition of industry leaders and advocates to secure this funding, which would have provided critical assistance to 3.75 million Texas children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable and food insecurity spikes.
The Summer EBT program is a proven, cost-effective solution that has already been adopted by 37 other states. By rejecting this funding, the state forfeits an estimated $450 million in federal benefits intended to support working families and ensure children have access to healthy, nutritious food. The veto ignores the needs of millions of Texans and undermines a broadly supported initiative to reduce food insecurity.
Representative Walle will continue to champion the expansion of Summer EBT in the state of Texas. In the meantime, Feeding Texas is filling in to help families in need this summer. Texans can text FOOD to 304-304 to find meal sites nearby.
Rep. Walle, Special Purpose Districts Discuss Community Projects
Earlier this month, Rep. Walle met with East Aldine, North Houston District, Greater Northside and Airline Improvement Districts to discuss plans for community improvements, infrastructure upgrades and public safety.
Harris County Precinct 2 Unveils Chicano Squad Bus Artwork
In June, Rep. Walle stood alongside Commissioner Adrian Garcia, the Houston Police Department and Precinct2Gether to introduce a new bus wrap that honors the Chicano Squad — an historic group of Latino HPD detectives.
Rep. Walle Joins Listening Session in Eastex Jensen
Last month, Rep. Walle joined community members from Eastex Jensen in HD 140 to discuss priorities. Folks advocated for increased access to health care and child care, among other issues.
Abbott vetoes summer food aid program, forgoing $450M in federal funds | Houston Chronicle
(Rep. Armando) Walle, state Rep. Toni Rose and Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of nonprofit No Kid Hungry Texas, wrote in a joint statement Monday that Abbott's concerns were "unfounded."
"Summer EBT matching funds are not tied to SNAP rates, and we have no reason to believe they are at risk," they wrote. "This decision has cost Texas families $450 million in benefits, a substantial loss that will have real, negative impacts on the health and well-being of our children."
$2 Million for CVI Marks Progress, But Texas Gun Safety Laws Lag Behind | Reform Austin
Texas leaders have approved $2 million in state funding to support Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs for the upcoming fiscal year, marking a notable step in local investment as federal dollars for similar initiatives diminish.
The funding, included in the state’s 2025 budget signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, was championed by Rep. Armando Walle, who helped steer the bipartisan effort through both legislative chambers. Advocates see the funding as a critical boost for organizations tackling gun violence at the neighborhood level, as reported by Everytown.
Rep. Walle Issues Joint Statement on Veto of Summer EBT Program Funding | Lone Star Standard
"We fought hard to make Summer EBT a reality in Texas because it's a smart and necessary investment in our future," (Rep. Armando) Walle said. He expressed disappointment on behalf of millions of Texans who would have benefitted from easing their grocery burden during summer when schools are closed.
