The Texas House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan that could shift the balance of national power for years to come. In an 88–52 vote, Republican lawmakers advanced a new map designed to give their party control of five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, a move openly backed by President Donald Trump.
The legislation marks a rare instance of redistricting outside of the once-a-decade process following the census. Trump, who urged the effort as Republicans cling to a slim three-seat margin in the House, celebrated the bill on social media. “Which is exactly why Texas Republicans need to help us WIN the 2026 Midterm Elections, and pass their new Bill, AS IS, for the ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL CONGRESSIONAL MAP!,” he wrote.
According to the right-leaning Texas Policy Research organization, if the map had been in effect during the 2024 elections, Trump would have won 28 or 29 of the state’s 38 congressional districts instead of the current 25. Two additional districts would have become more competitive for Republicans.
Republicans have been candid about their motives. “The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward: Improve Republican political performance,” said Rep. Todd Hunter, a Republican from Corpus Christi, who authored the bill. “We are allowed to draw districts based on the basis of political performance.”
Democrats and civil rights advocates argue the map is designed to dismantle representation for communities of color in one of the nation’s most diverse states. Rep. Ron Reynolds, a Democrat from Missouri City, said the vote would forever be known as “a dark day in history.” He added, “This map weakens the political power of Black and brown Texans and sets a dangerous precedent.”
Rep. Erin Gamez, who represents South Texas, accused Republicans of deliberately targeting Hispanic voters. “South Texas, they are drawing these lines because they are very, very afraid of Hispanic voices,” she said. “And I think they should be.”
Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie denounced the bill as unlawful. “House Bill 4 is an illegal and racially discriminatory congressional map that this body has no business passing,” he said.
The redistricting battle escalated into high drama earlier this month when dozens of Democratic lawmakers fled the state for two weeks to prevent a quorum. Republicans responded by filing lawsuits, issuing arrest warrants, and even asking the FBI to track down the absent Democrats.
When Democrats eventually returned, GOP leaders imposed new restrictions. House Speaker Dustin Burrows informed members they could not leave the Capitol without a law enforcement escort. Rep. Nicole Collier refused and instead slept in the Capitol rather than accept police surveillance. She later filed a lawsuit challenging the Legislature’s authority to confine lawmakers under police watch.
The treatment of Collier, a Black woman and Democratic leader, drew national outrage. Taifa Smith Butler, president of Dēmos Action, said: “It is nothing short of a disgrace that Republicans would escalate their reprehensible, anti-democratic actions even further by confining [Collier] in the Capitol. They are weaponizing law enforcement to silence and intimidate Collier, a Black woman leader fighting for her constituents, namely Black and brown voters whose political power is being erased.”
Voting rights advocates said the Texas GOP’s move represents a new level of partisan manipulation. “Let’s be clear: Today’s vote on new congressional maps is nothing more than Texas Republicans openly colluding with President Trump to strip everyday Texans of their voice and representation in government and ensure political gain in the 2026 midterm elections,” said Taifa Smith Butler.
“Their extreme, divisive, and unprecedented actions have no place in our democracy and should be condemned by all,” she added. “These tactics, likely to spark copycat actions all around the country, should be called out and exposed for the malfeasance, corruption, and theft of the people’s choice that they are.”
Brett Edkins of Stand Up America warned of the broader implications: “It’s a blatant attempt by Donald Trump, [Texas Gov. Greg] Abbott, and congressional Republicans to dodge accountability in the midterms for the fallout of their billionaire tax handouts paid for by cuts to Medicaid and other programs Texans rely on.” He added, “Republican lawmakers in Texas should be ashamed. They are to blame for the gerrymandering arms race that we will now see across the country.”
Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, echoed the alarm: “The Trump gerrymander push is authoritarian, anti-democratic, and yet another tell of a wannabe dictator. We watch Texas today with the clear understanding that this is not an isolated push, but the beginning of a national power grab across multiple states to try and impact the 2026 midterm.”
The Texas vote has already triggered responses across the country. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a retaliatory redistricting plan to flip five Republican seats in his state. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Newsom’s approach, calling it “completely responsible” given Texas’ unprecedented move. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has said Democrats should “fight fire with fire.”
Political analysts warn this tit-for-tat could spiral. John Cluverius, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, said: “If California changes maps, then Indiana will maybe try to do something, and then maybe New York after that. We could see a redistricting arms race that could be dangerous. All of this could also undermine voters’ faith in the election process.”
Polling shows the Texas plan is deeply unpopular. A YouGov survey found fewer than one-third of Americans support the move, while nearly half oppose it. Disapproval is strongest among Democrats and independents, raising questions about the legitimacy of the new districts.
Rep. Mihaela Plesa of Dallas framed the issue bluntly: “This isn’t about fairness or representation. It’s about rushing maps through before the 2026 midterm elections. If that’s not the reason, why are we rushing this?” She told colleagues, “This is a test. Whether this house stands for Democratic norms or unfair manipulation?”
The map now heads to the Texas Senate, where it is expected to pass quickly before being signed into law by Gov. Abbott. Democrats are preparing legal challenges under the Voting Rights Act, but Republicans insist the Supreme Court allows partisan redistricting.
Rep. Reynolds asked during the debate: “When you look in the mirror, will you ask whether you were on the right side of history for voting rights for all? Or on the wrong side with this racial gerrymandering map?”
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