Texas House Approves Contentious GOP Congressional Map, Lawsuits Expected
Texas House Approves Contentious GOP Congressional Map, Lawsuits Expected
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday evening, August 20, 2025, passed a new Republican-favored congressional map following a contentious special session. The controversial redistricting plan aims to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape by potentially flipping five Democratic-held seats, primarily through merging existing Democratic districts in key urban areas like Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and making two Rio Grande Valley districts more competitive for Republicans.
The vote came after weeks of intense debate, with state Democrats decrying the mid-decade redistricting as a blatant act of gerrymandering designed to increase the number of GOP congressional seats. Districts currently represented by Democratic Reps. Al Green, Marc Veasey, Julie Johnson, Greg Casar, and Lloyd Doggett are among those targeted by the new boundaries.
While the map does not appear to weaken any existing GOP seats, its success in the upcoming 2026 midterms is projected to rely on sustained Hispanic support for Republicans, according to political experts. The legislation now moves to the state Senate, where passage is expected as early as the end of the week, before heading to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu conceded the immediate legislative defeat but vowed to challenge the maps in court. “This part of the fight is over, but it is merely the first chapter,” Wu stated in a press conference, confirming that a lawsuit will be filed once Governor Abbott signs the bill into law. House Democrats had attempted to stall the vote with various amendments, all of which were defeated.
The special session itself was marked by significant political drama, including an 18-day walkout by Democrats to deny a quorum, which ultimately proved unsuccessful as some members returned this week. Republicans, including bill author Rep. Todd Hunter, criticized Democrats for their absence, while Democrats accused the GOP of pushing the maps without their input and acting at the behest of former President Donald Trump. Governor Abbott has indicated plans to propose future legislation to penalize lawmakers who deny a quorum.
Reactions to the Texas House’s move have extended beyond the state, with California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul signaling intentions to pursue their own redistricting efforts in response, setting the stage for a broader national debate on congressional map drawing.
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