Governor Greg Abbott’s Expanded Special Session Agenda Includes Controversial Redistricting
TL/DR –
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has added redistricting to the agenda for the upcoming special legislative session, following a letter from the Department of Justice expressing concerns about the legality of four of Texas’ congressional districts. The DOJ’s Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, stated these districts constitute unconstitutional ‘coalition districts’ and urged Texas to rectify the race-based considerations. The move has been criticized by Democrats such as Congressman Marc Veasey, who sees it as an attempt to redraw the map in favor of Republicans and has introduced a bill seeking to end mid-decade redistricting unless mandated by a court order.
Texas Redistricting Tops Special Session’s Agenda
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the upcoming special session’s agenda to include the contentious issue of redistricting. The move confirms rumors that have been swirling around the U.S. and Texas Capitols.
The special session, which commences on July 21, will address 18 items, including a redrawing of the state’s congressional districts. This request comes in response to a letter from the U.S. Justice Department dated July 7. Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, signed the letter.
According to Dhillon, the Justice Department has “serious concerns” about “unconstitutional ‘coalition districts'” in Texas, namely Congressional Districts TX-09, TX-18, TX-29, and TX-33. These districts currently include race-based considerations which the DoJ urges Texas to rectify.
Congressman Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, who represents District 33, expressed his stark opposition to the DoJ’s letter in an interview with CBS News Texas for Eye On Politics.
“I think it’s the stupidest memo that I’ve ever seen from the DOJ,” Veasey said. He described the letter as a clear attempt to discriminate against predominantly Hispanic and Black communities.
Previously, the New York Times reported that former President Trump pushed the governor to call a special session for redrawing Congressional maps to create more Republican districts.
Veasey, along with nine other Texas Democratic Congress members, has introduced the Anti-Rigging Act of 2025. This bill aims to halt mid-decade redistricting unless mandated by a court order. Veasey criticized the governor for adding this to the agenda amidst the deadly Central Texas flooding.
Press secretary Andrew Mahaleris responded, “Governor Abbott is dedicated to delivering results on issues important to Texans, such as flood relief, property tax cuts, and the elimination of the STAAR test, notwithstanding the political issues at hand.”
The special session is set to last for 30 days.
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