Texas Democrats return, end two-week redistricting standoff

Democratic Texas state House representatives who left the state two weeks ago to block the passage of redrawn congressional maps are returning, their party caucus said Monday. More than 50 House Democrats traveled to Chicago, Boston, and Albany, N.Y., to prevent their chamber from having the quorum needed to pass the redistricting plan. The Trump-backed plan could hand Republicans five more U.S. House seats in midterm elections set for November 2026.

Most of the absent House members remained out of state until Monday, despite legal action and FBI investigations intended to bring them back to Texas for a vote. The Texas Senate passed the redistricting plan last week. But without enough House members for a vote, the measure could not advance any further in the legislature. Lawmakers ended the first special legislative session on Friday and immediately called another session to try again.

Though the congressional redistricting plan is set to pass due to the Texas legislature’s Republican majorities, the Texas House Democratic Caucus on Monday framed the situation as a victory for Democrats. Its members killed the previous special session and rallied Democrats nationwide to join them, according to the caucus’ statement. Texas Democrats also plan to fight the redistricting plan in court if it passes, the caucus said.

Which states may redraw their maps to gain more Democratic U.S. House seats?

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week put forward a state redistricting plan that would net Democrats more U.S. House seats and counter Texas’ gains for Republicans.

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently said she and New York state legislators would also respond to Texas with redrawn maps favoring Democrats.

• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also recently suggested he might do the same.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report for details on the absent Texas Democrats’ demands prior to their return.