Texas House Approves GOP Redistricting Plan Following Dramatic Standoff
Republicans Secure Victory on Controversial Congressional Map Redrawing That Could Add Five GOP Seats
The Texas House of Representatives voted 88-52 on Wednesday to pass House Bill 4, a Republican-backed redistricting proposal that could redraw the state's congressional maps and potentially create up to five new GOP-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The vote came after a weeks-long standoff that saw Democratic lawmakers flee the state to break quorum, temporarily halting legislative proceedings before returning to face the controversial measure.
Trump Celebrates Texas Victory on Truth Social
President Donald Trump praised the outcome in a late-night Truth Social post, declaring it a "Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!!" Trump wrote that "Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing".
The House approval represents a significant victory for Republican leadership after Democrats' dramatic attempt to block the legislation by leaving the state earlier this month.
Senate Vote Looms as Final Hurdle
The Texas Senate, which approved a similar version of the redistricting legislation earlier this week, is scheduled to take up the House-passed bill Thursday at 7 p.m., according to CBS News Texas. If the Senate approves the House version without changes, the legislation could reach Governor Greg Abbott's desk by the end of the week. If modifications are needed, the two chambers will need to reconcile differences through a conference committee process.
Governor Abbott has already indicated his support for the measure, stating he will sign the bill once it passes the Senate. In a statement following the House vote, Abbott praised House Republicans for passing what he described as a congressional redistricting bill that "better reflects the will of Texas voters".
Democrats Stage Dramatic Resistance
The vote concluded a tumultuous period that began when Democratic lawmakers fled Texas to break quorum and prevent action on the redistricting bill. Their absence effectively stalled the Legislature and ended the first special session, delaying the measure for two weeks.
Governor Abbott called a second special session hours after the first adjourned, and Democrats returned to the House chamber on Monday, allowing the legislation to move forward. That evening, HB 4 passed out of the House redistricting committee on a 12-8 party-line vote.
Unprecedented Security Measures Spark Legal Challenge
To prevent another walkout, House Speaker Dustin Burrows imposed an unusual rule requiring Democratic members to be escorted by Department of Public Safety officers if they wished to leave the Capitol. The unprecedented security measure drew immediate legal challenges and protests from Democratic lawmakers.
Representative Nicole Collier of Fort Worth refused to comply with the escort requirement and was temporarily locked in the House chamber before being allowed to go to her Capitol office. On Monday, Collier filed a petition in state court alleging she was under "illegal restraint by the government," though the court has not yet ruled on the matter.
Several other Democrats joined Collier in protest on Tuesday, tearing up their signed escort agreements and spending the night in the Capitol. With the passage of HB 4, Republican leaders dropped the escort requirement.
Sharp Partisan Divide Over Racial Implications
The redistricting debate exposed deep partisan divisions, with Democrats condemning the maps as racially discriminatory while Republicans defended them as fair and reflective of recent voting patterns.
"They have racist implications, yes. You need to be able to trust the voters to elect the candidate they want and keep them together in their same communities. That didn't happen today. Today, they just split that up. So, it's very disappointing to see this is the trajectory they're going."
Representative Nicole Collier made these remarks to CBS News Texas after spending two nights sleeping in the House chamber to avoid being taken into custody by DPS before the vote.
Republican Representative Katrina Pierson of Rockwall pushed back on the criticism, telling CBS News Texas, "It's victimization all day, every day. There's no account for values, and that's what's most important. People of Texas have spoken in the last several cycles. Minority voters are turning Republican, which is why this map is drawn. It's perfectly legal. Of course, they are going to take us to court, but we will win".
Legal Battles Ahead
Democrats have vowed to challenge the redistricting plan in court, with several lawmakers expressing their intention to fight the maps through the judicial system. Representative Venton Jones of Dallas expressed frustration with the outcome, stating: "My most sincere reaction is disappointment. Once again, Republicans continue to make power grabs on the back of Black and Brown communities. We fought for one of the most important issues we have as Texans, and that's our right to vote. We're going to still continue to fight. We're going to take this to the courts".
Republicans Celebrate United Front
Republican lawmakers celebrated the outcome as evidence of party unity and necessary action. Representative Mitch Little of Lewisville told CBS News Texas he was "thrilled" with the result: "For the first time, Republicans have united. They've been courageous in bringing this to the floor. It was necessary. Democrats are only concerned about those things when they're not in charge. In California, in Illinois, in Massachusetts, they absolutely redistrict and gerrymander to their benefit".
National Implications for 2026 Elections
The redistricting plan is expected to give Republicans a significant advantage in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially flipping up to five congressional seats in a state that has been trending more competitive in recent cycles. The outcome could have national implications for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, particularly given Texas's growing population and political importance.