Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that tackling redrawing the state’s congressional maps would be part of an special legislative session later this summer as Republicans seek to hold on to their narrow U.S. House majority in next year’s midterm elections.
Abbott issued a press release saying that session, slated to begin July 21, would address 18 different policy items the state legislature didn’t get to during its regular session, which wrapped up last month. That list included:“Legislation that provides a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.”
The announcement comes weeks after The New York Times reported that members of President Donald Trump’s political operation had privately urged Texas Republicans to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Republicans currently hold a slim 220-212 advantage in the U.S. And in Texas, the GOP already controls 25 of the state’s 38 congressional districts. Padding the GOP’s current majority by even just a few seats in Texas could complicate Democrats’ ability to take control of the chamber in 2026.
The redistricting process typically occurs at the start of each new decade, when new census data is available. Texas’ current maps, which were drawn in 2021, are still being fought over in court, with a lawsuit alleging they discriminate against Black and Latino voters.
Democrats were quick to criticize Texas Republicans’ plans.
“While Texans battle tragic and deadly flooding, Governor Abbott and House Republicans are plotting a mid-decade gerrymander,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., posted on X ahead of Abbott’s formal announcement. “They should be modernizing emergency response — not rigging maps.”
Republicans control the governorship, legislature and Supreme Court in Texas, which could ease their path to passing and implementing new maps.
Other items lawmakers will tackle during the special session include an array of measures related to the deadly flooding over the weekend in the state’s Hill Country region that left more than 100 people dead, such as flood warning systems and natural disaster preparation and relief funding.
“We delivered on historic legislation in the 89th Regular Legislative Session that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” Abbot said in a statement. “There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country. We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future.”
