GOP Representatives Kevin Kiley of California and Mike Lawler of New York have come out against efforts to draw new congressional maps before the 2026 midterm, which has become a central talking point in Washington after President Donald Trump urged Texas to redistrict.
Both Republicans represent swing districts and said that they will offer bills to curtail gerrymandering, framing their efforts as a bid to block Democratic-led states from redrawing their maps in response to the Republican effort.
“Gavin Newsom is trying to subvert the will of voters and do lasting damage to democracy in California,” Kiley said in a Monday statement, according to NBC News. “Fortunately, Congress has the ability to protect California voters using its authority under the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This will also stop a damaging redistricting war from breaking out across the country.”
Why It Matters
The Republican push to redraw Texas’ congressional map was initiated after Trump publicly endorsed the plan. Texas lawmakers began a special legislative session to advance the effort, which could bolster GOP chances of maintaining control of the House in 2026 midterms.
Democrats swiftly responded to the effort, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul both threatening retaliatory moves, raising the possibility of similar mid-decade redraws in blue states that could target Republican seats.
What To Know
Kiley’s proposed legislation seeks to nullify any new congressional district maps adopted by states before the 2030 census, a move intended to freeze current lines and prevent both Republican- and Democratic-led redistricting efforts from escalating ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The bill would effectively block Texas’ current effort and preempt similar moves in blue states like California.
Lawler, meanwhile, has introduced a separate bill aimed at banning gerrymandering nationwide. Such a proposal is a notable departure from the typical Republican position on federal involvement in state election matters and is unlikely to advance under the current House GOP leadership.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has not commented on either measure, and other Republicans have been noncommittal.
AP
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has taken an active role in opposing the Texas redistricting effort, traveling to Austin last week to meet with state Democrats. Jeffries accused Texas Republicans of trying to “rig the congressional map” under pressure from Trump and warned that Democrats are prepared to fight the effort in every arena—including in court.
Newsom has taken to social media to amplify calls for his state’s legislature to retake control of the redistricting process, including reposting a proposed map that would eliminate all nine Republican-held districts in the state. Newsom’s push could set the stage for a major reversal of California’s independent commission, which has overseen map drawing since a 2010 ballot measure.
What People Are Saying
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, at an August 4 press conference: “The proposal that we’re advancing with the legislature has a trigger only if they move forward, to dismantling the protocols that are well-established. Would the state of California move forward in kind? Fighting? Yes, fire with fire.”
Mihaela Plesa, vice chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, at the press conference: “We need Democrats across the country in state houses and congresses and communities to say loud and clear, ‘This is not who we are, and this is not what we will accept.’ This is a rallying cry.”
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in a statement: “Real Texans do not run from a fight. But that’s exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did. Rather than doing their job and voting on urgent legislation affecting the lives of all Texans, they have fled Texas to deprive the House of the quorum necessary to meet and conduct business.”
What Happens Next
Other states have also come into play on the redistricting discussion.
Ohio Republicans are preparing to redraw their congressional lines this fall, with the potential to target up to three Democratic-held seats. In Missouri, Republicans are eyeing a 7-1 map that would eliminate the Kansas City-based district of Democrat Emanuel Cleaver II.
As a contentious 2026 midterm looms, these redistricting battles could soon stretch well beyond Texas, New York and California.
Update 8/5/25, 12 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
