The battle over congressional maps intensified this week as Texas Republicans advanced a redistricting bill while Democrats in California unveiled legislation aimed at countering the move.
On Monday, the Texas House redistricting committee approved a revised version of new congressional maps, setting up a floor vote once the calendars committee schedules it. The decision came after Democrats ended a two-week walkout that had blocked Republicans from establishing a quorum. With lawmakers now back in Austin, the GOP is poised to push forward maps that could secure up to five additional Republican seats in Congress.
The process has been deeply contentious. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Texas Republicans to pass the maps “ASAP,” while Gov. Greg Abbott convened another special session to take up redistricting.
Meanwhile, tensions remained high inside the Capitol. Democratic Rep. Nicole Collier said she was effectively confined in the statehouse after refusing to accept conditions requiring a law enforcement escort due to civil arrest warrants issued during the quorum break. “I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative,” she said, vowing to continue opposing the maps.
As ABC News reports, Democrats signaled they are preparing a legal challenge, calling the proposal discriminatory. Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said the walkout had rallied national attention and strengthened their position going into court battles. Other Democrats, including Reps.
“We’re prepared to bring this battle back to Texas under the right conditions and to take this fight to the courts,” Wu said in a statement.
The fight is not confined to Texas. In California, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to place a new congressional map on the November ballot, designed to serve as a direct counter to Texas’ redistricting push. The proposal would also reaffirm California’s independent redistricting commission.
Other states are watching closely. Democratic governors in Illinois and New York have suggested they may follow suit, while Maryland Democrats are considering legislation that would force a mid-decade redistricting if other states proceed. On the Republican side, Florida and Missouri are also weighing new maps before the 2026 midterms.
The Trump administration has signaled its intent to keep redistricting a top priority.
