Texas legislators approved a new electoral map early Saturday, aimed at carving out five new Republican-leaning seats in the state to help the party retain control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.
The state senate voted along party lines to pass the map 18-11 shortly after midnight, following more than eight hours of heated debate.
Last week, the state legislature’s lower chamber adopted the bill.
Democratic Senator Carol Alvarado’s last-ditch plans to filibuster the map were thwarted when Republicans used a rare procedural motion to halt debate, end the filibuster, and proceed directly to the final vote.
The bill now moves to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, where he is expected to sign it without delay.
Democratic Senator Sarah Eckhardt criticized the move on X, calling the decision to shut down a filibuster “unprecedented” and adding, “This is not democracy — this is disgraceful.”
The legislation caps weeks of turmoil that saw Democratic lawmakers leave the state in protest to stall the vote, thrusting the issue of partisan redistricting, or “gerrymandering,” into the national spotlight. Former President Donald Trump had urged Texas Republicans to push through the new map as a safeguard against Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives in 2026, midway through his term.
The maneuver triggered a response from California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, who has initiated steps to redraw his state’s congressional map, potentially creating five new Democratic-leaning districts. His proposal, however, will still need voter approval in a referendum this November.
Both parties are now eyeing other states where laws may permit rapid redistricting to gain an electoral edge.
The escalating fight over maps injects a fresh layer of volatility into next year’s elections. Republicans currently hold both chambers of Congress and remain aligned with Trump’s agenda, while Democrats — under pressure — hope voter backlash against Trump’s policies will help them reclaim the House. Such a victory would immediately give them investigative power over Trump and his administration.
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