Texas State House Passes Redistricting Bill

The Texas House of Representatives has passed legislation dictating new congressional lines in an effort to expand Republican representation in Congress from the state at the expense of Lone Star State Democrats. Republicans advanced the bill in an 88-52 vote on Wednesday. The state senate will vote on the legislation on Thursday, and then the bill is expected to be signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has led the charge in creating new maps. 

“Congrats to the Texas House on passing the One Big Beautiful Map. It will make Texas, and Congress, a brighter shade of Red,” Abbott wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Historically, redistricting usually happens after the national census, which occurs once every ten years. The mid-decade redistricting move by Texas Republicans prompted dozens of their Democrat counterparts to flee the state in an effort to delay the redistricting vote and draw national attention to the issue. Republicans are seeking to gain five seats from the change in the congressional districts. 

Reacting to the news out of Texas, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!! Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing. More seats equals less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT. It means Happiness and Peace.”

California, Missouri, and Indiana have also jumped into the fray contemplating redistricting moves to bolster partisan representation from the dominant political party in each of their states respectively. For California in particular that means scrapping an independent redistricting commission. 

Republicans are looking to expand their majority in the 2026 midterms, which over the past several months has been razor thin. They currently control the lower congressional chamber with 219 votes compared to the Democrats’ 212 votes. There are also four vacancies in the House right now. 

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