Texas House passes redistricting bill, fueling gerrymandering debate as Democrats warn of minority voter suppression. Photo/X.
The Texas House on Wednesday approved a highly contentious mid-decade redistricting bill, only days after dozens of Democratic lawmakers returned from a two-week walkout aimed at blocking the measure backed by President Trump.
In an 88-52 vote split along party lines, Republicans passed the newly drawn congressional map, which could give the GOP as many as five additional seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats sharply criticized the bill, House Bill 4, arguing it undermined minority representation, violated voting rights protections, and was pushed through without sufficient public input.
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State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, one of several Democrats who left for Chicago earlier this month to break quorum, accused Republicans of secrecy and exclusion. She said the Texas Legislative Black Caucus “potentially will lose two seats” and was denied “a role in this process.”
Republican Rep. Todd Hunter, the bill’s author, rejected the claims. “You absolutely did … but you left 17 to 18 days,” he said. “Now you’re getting on the microphone saying, why didn’t I involve you? Well, I wasn’t going across state lines to find you. I was here. Don’t come into this body and say we didn’t include you – You left us for 18 days, and that’s wrong.”
Hunter maintained that redistricting is legally permissible “at any point in time” and described the bill’s purpose as straightforward: “improve Republican political performance.” He argued that Supreme Court precedent supports the move.
Addressing criticism that minority communities would be harmed, Hunter noted, “Four of the five new seats are Hispanic majority … that’s a pretty strong message, and it’s good.”
The debate drew protesters to the Capitol Rotunda, with many opposing the new map. During the session, the gallery had to be warned several times not to applaud Democrats speaking against the measure.
Republicans rejected all 12 Democratic amendments before the final vote. Among them were proposals to delay implementation until 2028, establish an independent redistricting commission, and require a federal court ruling to confirm the map did not suppress minority voters. One amendment even sought to block the new map until files related to Jeffrey Epstein were released.
More than 50 Democrats had fled Austin earlier in the month to stall the bill. Most returned Monday after facing threats of arrest, withheld paychecks, and possible removal from office. Lawmakers were only permitted to leave the chamber after agreeing to remain in the custody of a Department of Public Safety officer until the redistricting vote.
Rep. Nicole Collier refused to comply with the arrangement imposed by House Speaker Dustin Burrows and instead slept inside the chamber for two nights before the vote.
The aggressive GOP move has sparked a coordinated response from Democrats nationwide. Former President Barack Obama voiced support for California’s counter-effort on Tuesday, calling it a “responsible” response to Texas’s redistricting.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has advanced legislation designed to “neutralize” Texas’s plan by redrawing his state’s map in a way that favors Democrats. The measure, which requires voter approval in a November special election, would only take effect if Texas or another Republican-controlled state enacts mid-decade redistricting.
“It’s on,” Newsom wrote on X after the Texas vote. New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed the sentiment: “Game on.”
Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing political maps to secure partisan advantage. Both parties have used it, though Republicans have more openly embraced the tactic in recent years. Critics argue it allows politicians to pick their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives.
For example, although North Carolina leans only slightly Republican in presidential elections, gerrymandering has allowed the GOP to hold 10 of the state’s 14 congressional seats. Democrats have engaged in similar practices in states where they control the process.
Also Read: US Redistricting Showdown: Texas Democrats Return, California Joins the Fight Ahead of 2026 Midterms
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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