The Texas House approved a new congressional map that could give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats, shifting the balance from 25 Republicans and 12 Democrats to 30 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The vote followed the end of a two-week Democratic walkout that had stalled the redistricting process during a special legislative session.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Democrats have used quorum-breaking walkouts in past sessions to block legislation, including during high-profile battles over voting and redistricting. The tactic carries significant political stakes. It temporarily halts lawmaking but often sets the stage for partisan standoffs when lawmakers eventually return.
Democrats argued the plan diminishes minority voting strength and pledged to challenge it in court. “The underlying goal of this plan is straight forward: improve Republican political performance,” State Rep. Todd Hunter, who authored the map, said during floor debate.
Republican leaders at both state and national levels pushed for quick action. President Donald Trump urged lawmakers to act, posting a message that read “ASAP!” Gov. Greg Abbott also called on legislators to advance the proposal during the special session.
Democrats returned to Austin after their failed walkout strategy. Their return restored the quorum needed for the House to conduct business. That move cleared the way for Republicans to move forward with the redistricting plan, which passed along a strict 88-52 party line after nearly eight hours of debate and a procedural standoff.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner said his party will fight the plan in court. “In a democracy, people choose their representatives. This bill flips that on its head and lets politicians in Washington, D.C., choose their voters,” Turner said.
The plan concentrates Democratic voters in urban districts while expanding Republican representation in previously competitive areas, according to critics. Under the new map, no Republican incumbents would see their districts become more competitive.
Hunter defended the effort by citing court precedent. He noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed politicians to redraw districts for nakedly partisan purposes.
With both chambers now approving the map, it heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law. If enacted, Texas’s congressional delegation could shift from 25 Republicans and 12 Democrats to a projected 30 Republicans and 7 Democrats.
