GOP-Led Texas House Votes To Advance Redistricting Map

08:02 PM EDT

IN PICTURES: Texas House of Representatives passes new redistricting plans

07:33 PM EDT

Texas lawmakers free to leave the House after redistricting vote

The Texas House has unlocked its doors and members are now free to leave after the new congressional voting maps were approved.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows removed the “call of the House” which compels absent members to attend.

The call saw Democrat members, who returned after a walkout, placed under police escort to ensure the quorum.

State representative Nicole Collier stayed in the House through Tuesday night in protest of the requirement.

07:07 PM EDT

GOP plan to redraw 37 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts

Republican Rep. Todd Hunter, who proposed the new redistricting map, said 37 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts would be redrawn.

He acknowledged that the primary reason for the redistricting was “partisan.”

“The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward: to improve Republican political performance,” Hunter told House members Wednesday.

“Each of these newly-drawn districts now trend Republican. While there’s no guarantee of electoral success, Republicans will now have an opportunity to potentially win these… five new districts we have.”

07:01 PM EDT

Newsom says Republicans still have an ‘off-ramp’ to abandon redistricting efforts

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that Texas Republicans still have an “off-ramp” to abandon partisan redistricting efforts, before California is forced to do its own redistricting.

“We’re doing this only in response to what [Gov. Greg Abbott is] doing,” he said.

“So if he doesn’t want us to move forward, he has some capacity to influence that.”

Newsom said that politicians from both parties, “should all stand back and support nationalized independent redistricting.”

But he warned that if Republicans continued their efforts, Democrats would be forced to go ahead with theirs.

06:48 PM EDT

Texas legislature votes to advance congressional districting plan

The Republican-led Texas legislature has voted to advance its congressional redistricting plan.

The Texas House of Representatives voted 88-52, along party lines, to approve the new map on Wednesday evening.

It will now be sent to the Republican-majority Texas state Senate where it is expected to pass by Thursday.

The new congressional district map would then go to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to become official.

The vote follows weeks of partisan standoff, police monitoring of Democratic lawmakers, and mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to secure the House majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.

06:04 PM EDT

Who is Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows?

Dustin Burrows, a Republican, became the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives earlier this year.

He has represented the 83rd district in the Texas House since January 2015, and has held several leadership roles including as chair of the House Calendars Committee, Chair of House Republican Caucus, and now speaker.

Before his political career, Burrows worked as an attorney in Lubbock. He studied at Texas Tech University, earning both his law degree and a master’s degree in business administration.

05:27 PM EDT

Texas GOP reject all 12 amendments from Democrats

Republicans rejected all 12 Democratic amendments to the Texas redistricting bill on Wednesday.

Among the proposals were measures to halt the map’s implementation until the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and the establishment of an independent redistricting commission.

GOP lawmakers also turned down efforts to use the existing congressional map if the new lines were tied up in litigation, as well as a proposal to delay the map’s implementation until two years after the decennial census.

Democrats introduced these amendments not only to slow the debate but also to compel Republicans to explain how race factored into the redistricting process.

05:15 PM EDT

Texas Republicans block Democrat effort to tie redistricting to Epstein files

Texas Republicans blocked an effort by Democratic Rep. Gene Wu of Houston to connect the passage of a new congressional redistricting map with the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files.

Wu’s proposed amendment was quickly struck down after Rep. Briscoe Cain challenged it on procedural grounds. The House parliamentarian ruled the measure was not relevant to the redistricting bill, effectively ending Wu’s attempt before it could be debated or voted on.

Wu explained his amendment was designed to put Republicans in a difficult position, forcing them to “choose between their loyalty to Trump and their obligation to expose sexual predators.”

Once the parliamentarian’s ruling was read aloud by Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Wu’s proposal was dismissed, and the legislative process moved forward without disruption.

In his ruling, Burrows noted that the amendment introduced an unrelated condition to the redistricting bill, which solely addressed changes to congressional district boundaries. With this latest decision, Republicans have now managed to block all 11 amendments put forward by Democrats in an effort to alter or slow down the redistricting legislation.

04:58 PM EDT

Gov. Newsom calls Greg Abbott ‘delusional’

California Gov. Gavin Newsom calls Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “delusional” over the redistricting.

When asked what he made of Abbott, Newsom added, “Shockingly delusional.

“Look in the mirror, sir. You’re the one who initiated this. You coward. You couldn’t stand up to Donald Trump”

04:42 PM EDT

WATCH: Texas Democrats sleep at Capitol to protest GOP in Texas redistricting fight

04:15 PM EDT

Democrats accused Texas GOP of letting Washington choose its voters

Democrats have accused the Texas House GOP of letting Washington, D.C., get to choose its own voters, rather than the other way round.

“In a democracy, people choose their representatives,” said State Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat.

“This bill flips that on its head and lets politicians in Washington DC choose their voters.”

04:00 PM EDT

What to know about Texas Democrat Nicole Collier’s protest

Texas State Representative Nicole Collier staged a dramatic overnight protest inside the Capitol this week, refusing to leave the House chamber after Republican leaders imposed strict surveillance rules on Democratic lawmakers. The standoff followed a two-week walkout by Democrats aimed at blocking a GOP redistricting plan that would add five Republican seats to the U.S. House.

Upon their return, Democrats were told they could not exit the chamber without signing a permission slip and agreeing to be escorted by state police. Collier declined, calling the requirement an affront to her dignity and legislative independence. “I disagree, and this is the way that I am resisting,” she said.

Her act of defiance quickly drew support. Several Democratic colleagues joined her on the House floor, tearing up their permission slips in protest. Outside the chamber, demonstrators demanded her release, and four were arrested after refusing to leave the Capitol.

Republican leaders defended the rules as necessary to maintain quorum and proceed with the redistricting vote. Collier, meanwhile, livestreamed her vigil from the chamber, vowing to remain until the House reconvened. Her protest has sparked national attention and renewed debate over partisan power plays in state legislatures.

03:51 PM EDT

‘South Park’ targets Trump’s D.C. crime crackdown in new episode

“South Park” is taking aim at Trump’s controversial law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., in its upcoming episode titled “Sickofancy.” A teaser released ahead of Wednesday’s broadcast shows the character Towlie arriving in the capital as military tanks roll past the White House. “This seems like the perfect place for a towel,” Towlie quips, setting the tone for the episode’s satirical take on Trump’s federal policing strategy.

The show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have used recent episodes to lampoon Trump’s administration, including its immigration raids and handling of civil unrest. The latest installment continues that trend, drawing attention to the backlash surrounding Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops and assert control over D.C.’s local police force.

03:39 PM EDT

Texas Rep. Nicole Collier forced to end livestream amid Capitol standoff

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier abruptly ended a livestream from a Capitol bathroom on Tuesday after being warned she could face felony charges for remaining there. Collier, a Democrat, had been resisting a GOP-imposed police escort policy during redistricting debates and joined a Zoom call with Democratic leaders to highlight her protest.

“Sorry, I was asked to leave. They said it’s a felony for me to do this,” Collier said before exiting the call, which included DNC chair Ken Martin, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

Booker condemned the incident, calling it “outrageous” and a blatant attempt to silence Collier. The livestream was part of broader Democratic efforts to oppose Republican redistricting plans and what they describe as authoritarian tactics linked to the Trump administration.

Collier has spent over 24 hours inside the Capitol, refusing surveillance and demanding fair electoral maps.

03:38 PM EDT

Texas Democrat opens up about being followed by police after returning to state

Democrat Rep. Linda Garcia, of Dallas, told Associated Press about the surreal experience of being tailed by police after she returned to Texas.

“It’s a weird feeling,” she said. “The only way to explain the entire process is: It’s like I’m in a movie.”

Garcia said she drove three hours home from Austin with a police officer following her. When she stopped to pick up groceries, the officer followed her down every aisle, pretending to shop, she told AP.

She that two separate unmarked cars with officers even parked outside her home.

03:23 PM EDT

Obama backs California redistricting shift as strategic response

Former President Barack Obama voiced support Tuesday for California Democrats’ plan to redraw congressional maps in response to Republican-led efforts in Texas.

Speaking at a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, Obama said he still favors nonpartisan redistricting but called California’s proposed shift “a smart, measured approach.”

“I believe that Gov. Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach,” he said, according to excerpts obtained by The Associated Press. “He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it. We’re only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers. Otherwise, this doesn’t go into effect.”

03:08 PM EDT

Redistricting Wars: Map shows how many seats could change before midterms

With over a dozen states weighing up the idea of redrawing their district boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Newsweek has mapped out the seats that could change hands if legislatures let fly.

Some of the largest states in the union are currently engaged in a cold war over the House of Representatives, which the Republicans hold with a single-digits majority.

At President Donald Trump’s instruction, Texas legislators proposed a rare mid-decade congressional map change in a bid to maintain this hold, with five seats in Democratic areas redrawn into likely Republican gains.

In response, governors of Democratic states have threatened to take their own pound of flesh, with California’s Gavin Newsom, New York’s Kathy Hochul, and Illinois’ JB Pritzker all promising to redraw their own states’ already-small Republican districts if Texas goes ahead.

But how viable are these threats, and what would the 2026 election look like if everyone made good on them?

Read the full story by Theo Burman on Newsweek.

02:49 PM EDT

Why Texas Republicans are pushing new redistricting maps

Texas Republicans are moving swiftly to pass a new congressional map aimed at securing five additional U.S. House seats for their party ahead of the 2026 midterms. The proposed redistricting plan, backed by Trump and Governor Greg Abbott, is designed to strengthen GOP control in key districts and reshape the national political landscape.

The vote, expected to pass along party lines, follows a two-week Democratic walkout that temporarily stalled the process. Upon their return, Democrats were assigned state police escorts to prevent further delays. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Nicole Collier, refused to comply and staged overnight protests inside the Capitol.

Republicans argue the map is legally sound and politically strategic. “We can use political performance,” said Rep. Todd Hunter, who introduced the bill. Democrats, however, call the plan discriminatory and undemocratic, citing its impact on minority-held districts.

The Texas effort is part of a broader redistricting battle unfolding nationwide, with Democratic-led states like California preparing countermeasures to flip Republican seats. Control of the House could hinge on these mid-decade map changes, even before voters head to the polls.

02:34 PM EDT

Arrests surge in DC amid Trump’s federal policing push

Daily arrests in the nation’s capital rose by roughly 20% during the first 10 days of Trump’s federal law enforcement surge, according to internal data reviewed by The Associated Press.

Average jail bookings jumped from 64 to 78 per day after Trump deployed hundreds of federal officers and activated the National Guard to assert control over Washington’s police operations. The figures include arrests by both local and federal authorities but exclude immigration-related detentions.

Officials say more than 550 arrests have been made since the surge began, with immigration cases accounting for about 40% of the total. The data, not publicly released, was shared by a law enforcement source on condition of anonymity.

02:20 PM EDT

Vance signals possible extension of federal control over D.C. police

Vice President J.D. Vance said Wednesday that Trump may extend the federalization of Washington’s police force beyond its initial 30-day limit if public safety demands it. Speaking at Union Station, Vance defended the administration’s controversial move, saying, “If the president of the United States thinks that he has to extend this order to ensure that people have access to public safety, that’s exactly what he’ll do.”

Pressed on whether the federal takeover has improved safety in the capital, Vance claimed crime statistics nationwide are “massively underreported,” suggesting official data may not reflect the full scope of the issue.

Following the briefing, Vance joined Trump allies Pete Hegseth and Stephen Miller for lunch with National Guard troops at a nearby Shake Shack.

02:18 PM EDT

Texas House votes down amendment that states bill complies with Voting Rights Act

The House has voted down an amendment to add a section to the redistricting bill confirming the new map complies with the Voting Rights Act.

Democratic Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer who proposed the amendment argued that if the map complied with the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination against voters based on race, there should be no issue voting to add the amendment.

“It just says that we are going to follow Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act,” he said. “That’s it. There are no tricks. There are no hidden words. That’s all it does. It shouldn’t be controversial.”

Republican Rep. Todd Hunter, who sponsored the redistricting bill, pushed back arguing it was “unnecessary.”

The amendment was rejected 87 to 51, along party lines.

02:07 PM EDT

Gavin Newsom’s redistricting ballot measure chances of passing—New poll

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting ballot measure has support from a majority of the state’s voters, according to a new poll.

Newsweek reached out to Newsom and the California GOP for comment via email.

The redistricting arms race between California, Texas and other states could have key implications for the midterms. Texas, with the support of President Donald Trump, first announced plans to redraw its map to become more favorable to Republicans and thwart losses in the midterms, but Newsom has warned California could redraw its map to benefit Democrats in return.

California Democrats’ ability to do so may hinge on the outcome of a ballot measure Newsom announced last week that would allow a new map drafted by legislators to temporarily replace the boundaries drawn up by the state’s independent redistricting committee following the 2020 census.

If the ballot measure is successful, it could neutralize efforts from Texas Republicans. But if it fails, Republicans may be able to net several seats in not only Texas, but also other GOP states like Indiana and Missouri.

Read the full story by Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

01:49 PM EDT

Texas Rep. to introduce amendment to make redistricting map contingent on Epstein files release

Texas Democrat Rep. Gene Wu said he intends on introducing an amendment that would make the redistricting maps conditional on Donald Trump releasing all “investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters” related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Wu, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said he wants to force Republicans “to choose between their loyalty to Trump and their obligation to expose sexual predators.”

“Trump is in those files, and that’s why he’s fighting to keep them hidden,” Wu said, according to the Texas Tribune.

01:34 PM EDT

WATCH: Texas redistricting shake-up explained by The 1600

01:29 PM EDT

Judge blocks AG Ken Paxton from prosecuting group for supporting Texas Democrats

An El Paso judge has temporarily blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton from prosecuting former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s political group, Powered by People, for financially supporting Texas Democrats who left the state.

Powered by People has already donated $1 million to the Democrats who fled Texas ahead of the redistricting vote.

Paxton, who previously secured a temporary injunction blocking O’Rourke from fundraising for the Texas Democrats or paying their expenses, has since sought to jail O’Rourke claiming he’d violated the court order. O’Rourke disputes this.

On Tuesday, Judge Annabell Perez, of the 41st Judicial District Court, issued a temporary restraining order barring Paxton from prosecuting O’Rourke’s group or initiating any legislation aimed at revoking its charter.

O’Rourke has filed his own lawsuit in response, claiming Paxton was doing a “fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned,” the Texas Tribune reports.

12:59 PM EDT

Why is it called gerrymandering?

The term gerrymandering is a portmanteau of the words salamander and the surname of Elbridge Gerry, a vice president of the United States in the early 19th century.

It was first used on March 26, 1812, in the Boston Gazette after the redrawing of Massachusetts state senate election districts under then-Massachusetts governor Gerry.

One of the awkwardly remapped districts in the Boston area was said to resemble the shape of a salamander.

The redistricting was then lampooned in a political cartoon, showing the districts in the shape of a winged mythical beast.

While the redistricting had been done at the behest of the Democratic-Republican Party, Gerry signed the bill in 1812 and as such, has the dubious honor of the practice being named after him.

12:59 PM EDT

Texas Democrats condemn GOP redistricting as undemocratic

Texas Democrats are pushing back against a Republican-led redistricting plan they say undermines core democratic principles. As the state legislature moves to approve new congressional maps that could deliver five additional GOP seats, critics argue the effort is a blatant attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes.

“In a democracy, people choose their representatives,” said state Rep. Chris Turner. “This bill flips that on its head and lets politicians in Washington, D.C., choose their voters.”

The proposed mid-decade redraw has sparked national controversy, with Democrats warning it could erode voter trust and diminish fair representation across key urban districts. Legal challenges are expected once the maps are finalized.

12:46 PM EDT

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that gives one political party or group an unfair advantage. Instead of creating districts that reflect natural communities or population balance, the lines are deliberately manipulated to influence election outcomes.

This is usually done in two main ways: “packing”, where large numbers of opposing voters are crammed into a few districts so their influence is limited elsewhere, and “cracking”, where those voters are split across many districts so they can’t form a majority in any of them. The result is that one party can win more seats than their overall share of the vote would normally allow, weakening the principle of fair representation.

12:45 PM EDT

WATCH: Newsom moves to redraw California map to counter Trump and Texas

12:30 PM EDT

Gavin Newsom gets major polling boost after trolling onslaught of Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has received a significant bump in the polls after launching a barrage of sharp attacks on President Donald Trump on social media, according to new survey data.

The latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey, conducted between July 31-August 11, shows that California Democrats would take Newsom over former Vice President Kamala Harris in a 2028 presidential primary.

According to the poll, the governor leads Harris 25 percent to 19 percent among the state’s registered Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents.

Newsom’s surge underscores how his combative stance against Trump is resonating with Democrats at home, giving him a potential edge over Harris in their shared political backyard.

California is not only the nation’s most populous state, but also a key fundraising hub, and leading Harris on her home turf could reshape early narratives about the 2028 Democratic primary.

The poll found 75 percent of Democrats are “excited” about a Newsom bid, compared with 67 percent for Harris—a sign of softer support for the vice president in her own state. While both would be top contenders in the California primary, Harris’ weaker numbers highlight the challenge she may face energizing the party’s base.

Read in full from Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

12:19 PM EDT

Protesters rally at Texas Capitol as GOP redistricting vote nears

Roughly 200 demonstrators gathered in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol on Wednesday to support Democratic lawmakers and protest a Republican-led redistricting plan that could reshape the state’s congressional map. The rally comes as the GOP prepares to approve new district lines aimed at securing additional seats in the U.S. House, following calls from President Donald Trump to bolster Republican representation.

Protesters held signs reading “End Gerrymandering — Save Democracy,” “Defend the Constitution,” and “Fascism is here,” underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the vote. Inside the chamber, enough lawmakers were present to give Republicans the quorum needed to move forward with the controversial plan.

12:19 PM EDT

What to know about Missouri’s redistricting efforts

Missouri’s current congressional map, which splits six seats for Republicans and two for Democrats, has been rated relatively fair by outside analysts.

Still, pressure is mounting from GOP leaders—backed by President Trump—to launch a mid-decade redistricting effort before the 2026 midterms. Their goal is to target Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based seat and potentially flip it to Republican control, despite concerns that such a move could face constitutional challenges.

Democrats and civil rights advocates have strongly opposed the idea, warning it would undermine fair representation and invite lawsuits. Even some Republicans are hesitant, with legislative leaders expressing little enthusiasm for reopening redistricting so soon after the 2022 maps were finalized. The outcome now depends on whether Governor Mike Kehoe calls a special session, setting up a political and legal battle over the future shape of Missouri’s districts.

12:03 PM EDT

California GOP blasts Newsom’s redistricting plan as partisan retaliation

California Republicans are pushing back against a Democratic redistricting initiative aimed at countering GOP-led efforts in Texas. The proposal, championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would temporarily bypass the state’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Rep. Ken Calvert, whose district could be eliminated under the plan, called it a “power grab” and vowed to fight it in the upcoming November special election. Rep. Darrell Issa’s office echoed the criticism, labeling the move “pure political power grab” that defies voter intent.

Democrats argue the measure is a necessary response to Republican gerrymandering in Texas, where the GOP seeks to flip five Democratic-held seats. Newsom said the California maps would “neutralize” Texas’s effort, but emphasized the plan would only proceed if Texas Republicans finalize their initiative.

If approved, California’s new maps would expand Democrats’ advantage from 43-9 to 48-4 and revert to nonpartisan redistricting after the 2030 census. A recent poll by David Binder shows 57% of voters support the measure, with 35% opposed and 8% undecided.

12:00 PM EDT

What to know about California’s redistricting efforts

California’s redistricting efforts in 2025 mark a sharp departure from the state’s usual process, which relies on an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission established by voter-backed reforms.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed shifting redistricting power back to the legislature on a temporary basis, in response to Republican-led redistricting maneuvers in Texas.

Under this plan, lawmakers would redraw congressional maps for the 2026–2030 cycle, with the commission regaining control after the 2030 census. Newsom and Democratic leaders argue this step is necessary to safeguard fair representation in Congress and counter what they describe as partisan “rigging” in other states.

The proposed maps, unveiled by California Democrats, could give their party as many as five additional House seats, potentially securing Democratic dominance in 48 of the state’s 52 districts. Supporters, including advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood, say the new maps are more compact, preserve communities of interest, and ensure progressive priorities remain represented. But critics argue that this is simply gerrymandering by another name. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who helped champion the independent commission, has spoken out forcefully against the plan, calling gerrymandering “evil” and launching a campaign to stop it. Polling suggests a majority of Californians still favor keeping the commission in charge.

Republicans have already sued to block the plan, claiming it violates the state constitution’s procedural safeguards and undermines voter-approved reforms. A special election has been scheduled for November 2025, when voters will decide whether to approve the constitutional amendment enabling this temporary change.

11:49 AM EDT

Trump urges Texas legislature to pass the new congressional map ‘ASAP’

President Donald Trump is urging the Texas legislature to pass the new congressional map “ASAP.”

“Texas Republicans need to help us WIN the 2026 Midterm Elections, [by passing] their new Bill, AS IS, for the ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONGRESSIONAL MAP!

“With the Texas House now in Quorum, thanks to GREAT Speaker Dustin Burrows, I call on all of my Republican friends in the Legislature to work as fast as they can to get THIS MAP to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, ASAP.”

11:48 AM EDT

Texas Democrat ties Epstein files to GOP redistricting vote

As the Texas House prepares to vote on a Republican-backed congressional map, Minority Leader Gene Wu is introducing a provocative amendment that would delay implementation until the release of federal records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Wu says the move is intended to pressure Republicans into choosing between party loyalty and public accountability.

The amendment demands that Attorney General Pam Bondi make all unclassified Epstein-related documents publicly accessible before the new map takes effect. Wu alleges that Trump is “desperately afraid” of what the files contain and accuses Texas Republicans of aiding a cover-up.

The House is expected to reconvene at 11 a.m. ET to take up the redistricting bill, which could deliver five new GOP-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

11:39 AM EDT

Democrat who lost his seat in redistricting slams Texas

A Democrat who lost his seat through a similar GOP redistricting scheme in North Carolina in 2024, slammed Texas House Republicans, calling Wednesday’s vote “absolutely horrible.”

“It’s no way to run a democracy,” Wiley Nickel told Raw Story. “It’s going to get worse.

“The main thing for the American people is we need a fair system by independent redistricting,” he added. “That’s the only way our democracy will survive.”

Nickel was elected to North Carolina’s House of Representatives in 2022 before the GOP-run state approved a new map with a strong partisan tilt, leading him to lose his seat in 2024.

He added that the Texas scheme “is very likely to determine control of Congress” and he supported Democrat moves to try and balance the scale.

11:35 AM EDT

What to know about Texas’ redrawing of congressional maps

Texas Republicans are advancing a rare mid-decade redistricting plan that could reshape the national political landscape. The proposed congressional map, expected to pass the state House this week, aims to add five GOP-leaning seats and bolster the party’s narrow majority in the U.S. House. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who accuse Republicans of partisan and racial gerrymandering.

The redrawn boundaries would significantly alter districts in urban centers like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Civil rights groups warn the changes could dilute minority voting power, particularly among Latino communities. Republicans argue the new lines enhance representation.

Democratic lawmakers staged a walkout to delay the vote and are preparing legal challenges. Meanwhile, California Democrats are pushing their own redistricting plan to offset GOP gains, with a special election possible in November.

The Supreme Court has limited federal oversight of partisan gerrymandering, leaving state courts and legislatures to navigate the legal and political fallout. With other red states watching closely, Texas may be the first domino in a broader national redistricting push.

11:27 AM EDT

Why Texas’ redistricting will benefit GOP

Texas’ newly redrawn congressional maps are expected to give Republicans a distinct advantage heading into the 2026 elections.

By adjusting district boundaries around fast-growing urban and suburban areas, lawmakers have been able to create several new districts that lean heavily Republican. This mid-decade redistricting, pushed by political leaders aligned with President Donald Trump, is designed to shore up GOP control of the U.S. House, where the party currently holds only a slim majority.

One of the main strategies employed is concentrating Democratic voters—who are often younger, more diverse, and clustered in cities—into fewer districts. This technique, known as “packing,” allows Republicans to draw more districts where their candidates are favored, even if the overall share of Democratic voters in the state is substantial. At the same time, lawmakers have “cracked” some urban areas, splitting communities across multiple districts in ways that dilute their political influence and ensure Republican dominance.

The maps also take advantage of demographic patterns across Texas. While the state’s population growth has been driven largely by Latino, Black, and Asian communities—groups that traditionally lean Democratic—the new lines minimize the electoral power of those groups by dispersing them across districts. This is already drawing legal challenges from civil rights organizations, who argue that the maps diminish minority representation and violate federal voting rights protections.

For Republicans, however, the short-term benefits are clear. Analysts project that the new maps could add as many as five additional GOP-leaning congressional seats. In a closely divided House of Representatives, those seats could prove critical in maintaining or expanding Republican power. The redistricting fight in Texas also reflects a broader national battle, as Democrats and Republicans in other states pursue similar strategies to tilt the balance of congressional representation in their favor.

11:22 AM EDT

Texas House session opens amid protest and praise for Collier

As the Texas House prepared to convene Wednesday morning, roughly two dozen demonstrators gathered outside the chamber, singing in support of Democratic lawmakers and chanting “Fighting for Democracy, we shall not be moved.” Some held signs reading “Let Her Out,” referencing Rep. Nicole Collier, who had spent the night on the House floor in protest of police monitoring.

Collier’s staff later removed her bedding and personal items from the chamber. As legislators arrived, several Democrats paused to embrace Collier, thank her, and pose for photos. A small group of supporters applauded their entrance.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows warned that the public gallery would be cleared if disruptions occurred. The gallery remained mostly empty as the session was called to order.

11:22 AM EDT

What does redistricting mean?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts, which happens every ten years after the U.S. Census. The purpose is to ensure that political representation keeps up with shifts in population. As people move from one area to another, some regions grow more crowded while others lose residents. To maintain the constitutional principle of “one person, one vote,” district lines are adjusted so that each district contains roughly the same number of people.

In most states, redistricting is carried out by the state legislature, though some states use independent or bipartisan commissions to reduce political influence. The way lines are drawn can have a major impact on elections, shaping who represents a community in Congress, state legislatures, and local government.

One of the biggest controversies tied to redistricting is gerrymandering—the practice of manipulating district boundaries to benefit a particular political party or group. By carefully carving up districts, lawmakers can dilute the voting power of certain communities or make elections less competitive. This has long-lasting effects on how power is distributed at both the state and federal levels.

For voters, redistricting affects more than just the shape of a district map. It can determine which candidates appear on the ballot, whether their community remains unified or is split into different districts, and how effectively their interests are represented. In short, redistricting plays a central role in how democracy functions, shaping the balance of power for the decade that follows.

11:18 AM EDT

Texas Democrat refused to leave Capitol overnight in redistricting standoff

A House Democrat refused to leave the Texas Capitol overnight on Tuesday, to protest the latest Republican move in the ongoing redistricting standoff.

State representative Nicole Collier said yesterday that she would stay in the building until Wednesday to protest a Republican requirement forcing Democrats who fled the state to have police escorts to and from the House to ensure they turn up to vote.

Earlier this month, Collier and 50 other Texas Democrats traveled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to stop a vote on a new redistricted map, drawn up by the Republican Party and thought to favor the GOP’s chances in upcoming elections. The Democrats accused the GOP of gerrymandering, and the GOP in turn called out the Democrats for disrupting the passage of legislation.

After two weeks of fighting, which included legal threats and the issuing of arrest warrants, the Democrats returned to the House for a session that ended without a vote on the redistricting bill.

Upon Democrats’ return to the state Capitol, speaker Dustin Burrows said they could leave the House floor only with written permission and if they agreed to be under the custody of a law enforcement officer until the House’s next meeting on Wednesday.

Collier refused to participate in this arrangement and was not allowed to leave the House floor without an escort.

Read in full from Kate Plummer on Newsweek.