Texas Democrats returned after a two-week walkout, clearing the way for Republicans to advance new congressional maps that could give them as many as 30 of Texas’ 38 House seats. The effort is part of a Republican strategy, backed by President Donald Trump, to shore up GOP power ahead of the 2026 midterms.
But Democrats aren’t standing still. California lawmakers are rushing to counter by redrawing their own districts. The challenge is that California’s maps are usually drawn by an independent commission, so Democrats are seeking a one-time exception that would send the plan to voters in November.
At the core, Trump is seeking to avoid a congressional check on his presidency. Republicans control more statehouses than Democrats, giving them more opportunities to tilt maps in states such as Florida, Indiana and Missouri.
The redistricting battle is about power, and the fights in Texas and California could shape control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
