Texas lawmakers have approved a sweeping redistricting plan that strengthens Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Texas House of Representatives passed the measure Wednesday in an 88–52 vote, creating five new GOP-leaning congressional districts after weeks of tense political standoffs. The maps now move to the Republican-controlled Texas Senate, where swift approval is expected, before heading to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature.

The vote follows a dramatic two-week boycott by Democratic legislators, who fled the state in an effort to block the measure by denying Republicans a quorum. Governor Abbott ordered their arrest during the standoff, and some Democrats reported police surveillance of their homes. The lawmakers eventually returned, saying their actions succeeded in drawing national attention to what they call an attack on fair representation.

To ensure Democrats could not repeat their walkout, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered the chamber doors locked and assigned police escorts to guarantee attendance. In a show of defiance, Democratic Representative Nicole Collier slept overnight in the chamber, later joined by colleagues who tore up their escort agreements in protest.

Republican leaders defended the plan as a lawful and transparent process. Representative Todd Hunter, who authored the legislation, criticized Democrats for abandoning their duties. “Don’t come into this body and say we didn’t include you,” he said, drawing applause from GOP colleagues.

Democrats, however, denounced the maps as blatant gerrymandering designed to entrench Republican power. “This is nothing more than a pure power grab rooted in racism and political greed,” said Democratic Representative Ann Johnson during floor debates. Civil rights groups argue the plan dilutes the political influence of minority communities and may violate federal protections under the Voting Rights Act. Legal challenges are expected.

The fight in Texas mirrors broader partisan battles across the country. In California, Democrats are advancing redistricting proposals aimed at flipping five congressional districts to their favor, explicitly in response to Republican maneuvers in Texas and elsewhere. California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: “It’s on, Texas,” signaling escalating political brinkmanship.

Other battleground states including Florida, New York, Ohio, and Missouri are also weighing new district maps to tilt representation toward their ruling parties.

Former President Donald Trump praised Texas Republicans for the move, calling it a “Big WIN for Great State of Texas!!!” on his social media platform. Republicans currently hold only a narrow majority in the U.S. House, and control of redistricting could prove decisive in the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas typically redraws districts once a decade following the U.S. Census, with the most recent maps adopted in 2021 still tied up in litigation over alleged racial bias. This latest redistricting effort, occurring mid-decade, has fueled accusations of partisan overreach and heightened tensions in an already polarized political climate.

As the new maps head toward final approval, Democrats and advocacy groups are preparing lawsuits that could determine whether the Republican advantage holds through 2026—or is overturned in the courts. (ILKHA)