In a contentious two-week standoff, Texas House Republicans managed to pass redistricting maps aimed at increasing their congressional representation by an 88-52 vote. The outcome follows a dramatic Democrat-led exodus to prevent the vote, which some saw as a necessary protest against perceived gerrymandering tactics. The maps, if ultimately approved by the Texas Senate, could enable Republicans to gain five seats currently held by Democrats and solidify their advantage in upcoming elections. Amid fierce backlash, Democrat-led states are considering response strategies of their own. Meanwhile, continued efforts to monitor and ensure legislative attendance have raised questions about the integrity of the redistricting process.
Texas Legislature Approves Controversial Redistricting Map Favoring GOP
Texas Legislature Approves Controversial Redistricting Map Favoring GOP
Texas lawmakers have voted to approve new congressional maps designed to benefit the Republican Party, creating turmoil in the state.
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Texas legislators have approved new congressional maps meant to give Republicans an edge in next year's elections for the US House of Representatives. After a two-week standoff, where Democrats fled the state to stall the vote and rally supporters against the redistricting plans, Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives passed the new voting lines in an 88 - 52 vote. The maps will now go to the Texas Senate, where they are expected to be swiftly approved. The new maps are intended give Republicans five seats that are currently held by Democrats and shore up the party's US House majority. However, Democrat-led states are pushing to redraw their maps to offset those gains. President Donald Trump backed redrawing the maps to safeguard a Republican majority in the US House, when congressional lawmakers will again be on the ballot in 2026. The vote followed a dramatic standoff, where state Democrats fled the state to halt the new maps from being voted on. At least two-thirds of the 150-member state legislative body in Texas must be present to proceed with the vote, called a quorum. It became unreachable in the Texas House of Representatives after Democrats fled. Texas Gov Greg Abbott issued arrest warrants for members of the group and multiple Democrats said law enforcement had been monitoring their homes while they were gone. The lawmakers returned this week, saying they believed their stalling helped garner widespread awareness of the redistricting plans and caused multiple states to mull their own plans to counter Republicans. In an effort to ensure Democrats would not attempt to halt the vote again, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Monday ordered the house chamber doors be locked. He also said Democrats would be "released into the custody" of a designated officer to ensure they return to the statehouse on Wednesday for the redistricting vote. Several Democrats instead ripped up the written agreements that they were required to sign for the police escort. One lawmaker, state Rep Nicole Collier elected to sleep in the house chamber instead of being escorted by an officer. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Voting rights in the United States Republican Party Texas US politics United States.
Texas legislators have approved new congressional maps meant to give Republicans an edge in next year's elections for the US House of Representatives. After a two-week standoff, where Democrats fled the state to stall the vote and rally supporters against the redistricting plans, Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives passed the new voting lines in an 88 - 52 vote. The maps will now go to the Texas Senate, where they are expected to be swiftly approved. The new maps are intended give Republicans five seats that are currently held by Democrats and shore up the party's US House majority. However, Democrat-led states are pushing to redraw their maps to offset those gains. President Donald Trump backed redrawing the maps to safeguard a Republican majority in the US House, when congressional lawmakers will again be on the ballot in 2026. The vote followed a dramatic standoff, where state Democrats fled the state to halt the new maps from being voted on. At least two-thirds of the 150-member state legislative body in Texas must be present to proceed with the vote, called a quorum. It became unreachable in the Texas House of Representatives after Democrats fled. Texas Gov Greg Abbott issued arrest warrants for members of the group and multiple Democrats said law enforcement had been monitoring their homes while they were gone. The lawmakers returned this week, saying they believed their stalling helped garner widespread awareness of the redistricting plans and caused multiple states to mull their own plans to counter Republicans. In an effort to ensure Democrats would not attempt to halt the vote again, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Monday ordered the house chamber doors be locked. He also said Democrats would be "released into the custody" of a designated officer to ensure they return to the statehouse on Wednesday for the redistricting vote. Several Democrats instead ripped up the written agreements that they were required to sign for the police escort. One lawmaker, state Rep Nicole Collier elected to sleep in the house chamber instead of being escorted by an officer. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Voting rights in the United States Republican Party Texas US politics United States.
