Texas House Holds First Public Redistricting Hearing Amid Partisan Dispute

Texas lawmakers have begun public hearings and legislative efforts to redraw the state's congressional district maps, following a call from President Donald Trump to create up to five new Republican-majority districts. The redistricting initiative, added to the special session agenda by Gov. Greg Abbott at Trump's request, targets multiple districts in Houston and North Texas currently held by Democrats. Democrats and legal experts have expressed concerns that the redistricting plan involves improper race-based considerations, potentially violating the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment, while Republican lawmakers deny any such violations. No official new map has yet been released, though Democrats suspect that drafts have been prepared by Trump's political team, and they warn that redrawing several districts will impact others statewide. The debate is intensifying as the redistricting process is expected to influence the balance of political power in Texas for the upcoming midterm elections. Both parties are preparing for a contentious fight over the maps, with Democrats vowing strong opposition to the effort.