A Partisan Fight for House Control and the Future of Redistricting

The redrawn congressional map in Texas is designed to benefit Republicans, potentially gaining them up to five U.S. House seats. This move is seen as a significant win for President Trump, who has been urging Republican leaders to help the party maintain control of the U.S. House. The Texas Legislature gave final approval to the map, with Governor Greg Abbott expected to sign it into law. The State Senate passed the map along party lines, following approval by the Texas House.

Texas Democrats, who attempted to block the map's passage, argue that the new lines illegally reduce the voting power of Black and Hispanic Texans. They have announced plans to challenge the map in court. The adoption of a procedural motion by Republicans prevented Democrats from filibustering, leading to the final vote. The bill passed with a vote of 18 to 11.

The push for redistricting in Texas has had significant repercussions. President Trump initiated the effort months ago, aiming to prevent Democratic victories in U.S. House elections. This mid-decade redistricting, once uncommon, threatens to reverse progress towards less partisan mapmaking. Other states, such as California, are also engaging in redistricting efforts, with California Democrats approving a map designed to shift seats to their party.

State Senator Phil King stated that the National Republican Redistricting Trust was involved in Texas's redistricting process. The results of the nationwide redistricting efforts might not guarantee Republican control of the U.S. House, especially given that off-year elections often favor the party out of power. However, the mid-decade redistricting could intensify partisanship in the House.

The passage of the Texas map is a major victory for Mr. Trump. While California's Governor may have countered the gains in Texas, he faces challenges in getting his maps approved. Other Democratic states are also facing legal hurdles that could delay redistricting efforts. In contrast, Texas, with its Republican-dominated legislature, has complete control over the redistricting process. The redrawing of congressional districts typically occurs after the U.S. census to reflect population changes.