Senate Approves New Texas Congressional Lines Amid House Democratic Boycott

The Texas Senate approved new congressional district lines on Tuesday during an uncommon mid-decade redistricting move, potentially bolstering Republican chances to maintain control of the U.S. House after the 2026 elections.The vote registered at 19-2, with nine Democrats absent as they protested the perceived corruption of the process. The Senate Democratic Caucus stated, "This mid-decade redistricting isn’t about fair representation; it’s politicians selecting their voters instead of voters choosing their leaders." They also expressed concerns that this practice might perpetuate ongoing gerrymandering efforts. While House Democrats have successfully stalled proceedings by leaving the state, two Senate Democrats remained to vote against the map. Senators Judith Zaffirini and Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa emphasized that quorum breaks can delay but not eliminate redistricting efforts.The proposed map, which mirrors an earlier draft, could potentially place incumbent Democrats in direct competition against one another. As the debate continues, Texas Republicans have issued arrest warrants for absent lawmakers and proposed fines for their absence.