08/21/2025
Following an extended day of legislative debate, the Texas House of Representatives approved a Republican-backed congressional redistricting map on Wednesday evening that has the potential to turn five districts red through the consolidation of Democratic strongholds in Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth into new Republican-favorable seats, while simultaneously making two Rio Grande Valley districts currently under Democratic control more contested.
The redistricting effort puts at risk the districts presently represented by Democratic Representatives Al Green, Marc Veasey, Julie Johnson, Greg Casar, and Lloyd Doggett.
The vote occurred several weeks following state Democrats’ condemnation of the unusual mid-decade redistricting as obvious gerrymandering designed to boost the number of GOP congressional seats.
The redistricting proposal, which received backing from President Donald Trump, appears headed for approval. The map could clear the state Senate by week’s end and would subsequently require Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.
During a post-vote press conference, House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu conceded that Democrats had been defeated in this instance.
“This part of the fight is over, but it is merely the first chapter,” Wu said, adding later that a lawsuit against the new maps will be coming together soon but not until after Abbott signs the legislation.