TL/DR –
Texas Democratic lawmakers, who previously left the state to block a Republican redistricting plan, are now gradually returning. The Texas Republicans’ redistricting plan could create five additional House seats that lean Republican before the 2026 midterms. The Democrats’ return is noticed not long after California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a redistricting plan to counter the GOP’s advantage.
Texas House Democrats Return to State in Accordance to Redistricting Plan
Texas Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to disrupt a quorum and hinder a Republican redistricting plan, are returning, according to sources familiar with the matter. These Democrats had left the state following former President Trump’s suggestion to redraw Texas’ district maps to secure more GOP seats.
The Republicans’ objective is to create five more GOP-leaning seats in the US House of Representatives before the 2026 midterms. If successful, this would add to the Republican’s slim majority in the House. This redistricting usually aligns with population shifts observed in the decennial census.
The Democrats secured a temporary victory by repeatedly denying a quorum to Texas Republicans, stalling the initial special session. However, with the new special session that started on Friday, they have begun to return. It’s still uncertain whether the chamber will have a quorum on Monday, CBS News reports.
Meanwhile, GOP officials have threatened to arrest the absent lawmakers. California Democrats also joined the fray with a redistricting plan announced last week by California Governor Gavin Newsom in response to the GOP’s activities.
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Nidia Cavazos, a 2024 campaign reporter for CBS News, provided this report.
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