Texas House Democrats have left the state to block an aggressively partisan redrawing of the state’s congressional map, orchestrated by Republicans with the support of President Donald Trump. This move adds to the ongoing political battle in Texas, which has significant repercussions in Washington, where House Republicans enter a challenging midterm landscape with a razor-thin majority. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to remove lawmakers who don’t show up when the state House convenes. The latest escalation in Texas could preview more bitter fights ahead as GOP states face intensifying pressure from Trump to redraw more maps to their advantage where possible. Democrats have vowed retribution in states where they control district boundaries.
The proposal put forward last week by Texas Republicans could potentially eliminate five Democratic US House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. With solid majorities in both state legislative chambers, Republicans have a glide path to delivering on Trump’s wishes. Democrats have vowed retribution in states where they control district boundaries. Texas Democrats played one of their few remaining cards: leaving the state to block a quorum. Lawmakers are meeting under a special session that can last for only 30 days, and the current session will end August 19. It remains to be seen whether the gambit will successfully block Republicans from eventually passing their map.
