(The Hill) The Texas state Senate early Saturday approved a new congressional map, forwarding the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for signing ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The measure passed the Senate with an 18-11 party-line vote as anticipated, with Democrats criticizing it as a power grab. This followed the state House’s approval of the map, also along party lines, after Democratic members ended a two-week standoff by returning to the state.
The Senate had already given the new map proposal a nod last week, but approval was required again as the first special legislative session called by Abbott concluded. The Republican governor initiated a second session which commenced this week.
A key Senate panel in charge of overseeing redistricting approved the House-passed map earlier on Thursday, sending it to the full Senate.
Democrats were poised to demonstrate resistance, potentially extending the vote into early morning, as Sen. Carol Alvarado (D), chair of the state Democratic Caucus, announced plans to filibuster using social media. However, the Senate took a long recess just as she was set to begin, allowing Republicans to thwart the planned speech, according to The Associated Press.
The new district lines are likely to add up to five additional U.S. House seats for Republicans in next year’s midterms.
Abbott is anticipated to quickly enact the map, though legal challenges are expected to follow in an attempt to block it. Democrats have already committed to appeals.
The actions by Texas Republicans seem to have sparked a competitive atmosphere, with several Republican- and Democratic-led states also pursuing redistricting efforts to secure seats. In response, California lawmakers convened this week to advance a ballot measure that, if approved by voters, would mandate the state to redraw its lines for the remainder of the decade.
The Golden State Legislature formally approved the measure on Thursday and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the legislation not long after. The new map could also give Democrats up to five additional seats in the U.S. House.
Still, Republicans may have more opportunities to redistrict, with states like Florida and Missouri also looking at drawing new Congressional lines.
Steff Danielle Thomas contributed.
