Texas Democrats End Walkout, Republicans Resume Redistricting Efforts Amid California Counterplans

Texas Republicans, led by Governor Greg Abbott and encouraged by President Donald Trump, are pushing forward with an unusual mid-decade redistricting effort aimed at increasing GOP seats in the 2026 midterm elections by five. Their plan follows a two-week walkout by Texas Democrats, who left the state to block the redistricting vote but have signaled their return after California Democrats initiated their own redistricting process to counteract Texas's moves. The Texas Democrats contend the GOP maps are racist and illegal and are preparing for legal challenges, while Republicans are moving through a second special legislative session to approve the new boundaries. California Democrats, holding supermajorities, are advancing a plan to redraw their congressional districts to gain more Democratic seats, with a November ballot measure set to approve the changes, intensifying a national redistricting battle. This clash between the two largest states reflects the high stakes of controlling a narrow House majority, where even small shifts in competitive districts could determine overall control. The conflict has sparked nationwide protests and legal actions, underscoring the broader fight over voting rights and political power in the U.S.