Quotes of the Week

Let's adjourn this mutha.

Sen. John Whitmire, at the end of the third special session

They are totally insulated from public opinion on this because of redistricting. Republicans are gonna continue to hold the House. But then we’ll head into the 2016 presidential election where the electorate is likely to be 2 percent less white than it was in 2012 and 4 percent less white than it was in 2008. This is a simple math equation.

Political consultant Steve Smith on his party's position on immigration, in the New York Times

It is perfectly constitutional for a Republican-controlled legislature to make partisan districting decisions, even if there are incidental effects on minority voters who support Democratic candidates.

The State of Texas, in legal briefs on why it should not be subject to federal oversight for intentional discrimination in redistricting maps

An awful lot of the press coverage about Washington reads like coverage of Hollywood. Madonna is having some spat with Sean Penn. Who cares? And who cares which politician is mad at that politician?

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, quoted in TIME

I'm going to hang in here like a hair in a biscuit. I'm digging in for the long haul. This place is worse than I thought.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, on bucking the GOP leadership in the House