The Texas House of Representatives passed a new Republican-backed congressional map on Wednesday. The redistricting plan, supported by President Donald Trump, could add up to five new GOP-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Most Democrats had walked out earlier this month to delay a vote, but returned for a second special session that began Monday.
The legislation cleared the House in an 88-52 vote after weeks of political standoff. The final vote came after a procedural approval by the same margin. The bill now moves to the state Senate, where passage is expected.
Trump celebrated the approval on Truth Social, calling it a “Big WIN” and urging other GOP-led states like Florida and Indiana to follow suit. He claimed the move would “save your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country.”
Trump also renewed his push to end mail-in voting and called for a return to paper ballots, claiming it could help Republicans gain 100 more seats nationwide.
The redistricting plan has triggered strong backlash from Democrats. Texas Rep. Gene Wu said the party would continue the fight in court.
Others, including Rep. Chris Turner and Rep. Jon Rosenthal, accused Republicans of voter suppression and racial gerrymandering. They argued the plan dilutes the voting power of African American and Latino communities and undermines democratic fairness.
Republicans defended the map as legal and justified, pointing to Texas law and population growth. GOP Rep. Todd Hunter said the new districts are “based on political performance,” and help secure long-term voter representation.
The redistricting push in Texas has sparked similar action in Democratic-controlled states. California Democrats, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, have introduced a counter map creating five Democratic-leaning districts. Both maps reflect a growing nationwide battle over control of the U.S. House, with each party using state power to lock in strategic advantages ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Speaker Dustin Burrows, who presided over the House sessions, allowed absent Democrats to return under supervision from the Texas Department of Public Safety. One Democrat, Rep. Nicole Collier, refused the escort and stayed in the chamber until Wednesday.
Despite the opposition, the Texas GOP’s redistricting bill now heads to the Senate, where Republicans hold the majority. A committee already advanced its version in a 6-3 vote on Sunday. Final passage is expected before the end of the week.