The Texas House redistricting committee advanced a new congressional map Monday, setting the stage for a full House vote later this week. The move came after Democrats returned to Austin, ending a two-week standoff that had prevented the chamber from reaching quorum.
Former President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott have both pushed for the redistricting effort, with Trump urging lawmakers to pass the new maps “ASAP.” Democrats, however, argue the plan is discriminatory and vowed to challenge it in court.
Republicans say the proposed changes could give them as many as five additional congressional seats in 2026. Menhile lawmakers in California, Illinois, and New York are already exploring countermeasures to Texas’s redistricting efforts.