Texas lawmakers to discuss redrawing congressional maps in upcoming special legislative session

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday that redistricting the state’s congressional maps will be addressed in a special legislative session scheduled for July 21. This move comes as Republicans work to maintain their slim majority in the U.S. House ahead of the midterm elections next year.

The legislative session will review 18 policy items that were not covered in the regular session, which concluded last month. Among these items is a proposed revised congressional redistricting plan in response to constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Reports suggest that members of former President Donald Trump’s political team have been encouraging Texas Republicans to adjust their congressional maps prior to the 2026 elections. Currently, Republicans have a narrow 220-212 majority in the House, and they control 25 of Texas’s 38 congressional districts.

Any slight increase in GOP seats could hinder Democrats in their quest to regain control of the House. In the past elections, Trump won two of the 13 districts held by Democrats, with narrow margins that highlight the competitive landscape.

Specifically, Rep. Henry Cuellar’s district favored Trump by 7 points, while Rep. Vicente Gonzalez’s district leaned towards Trump by 4 points. Cuellar secured his seat by less than 6 points, and Gonzalez by under 3 points, indicating the frail hold Democrats have in these regions.

As the redistricting battle continues, Democrats have criticized the timing and motivations behind the special session. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed concern that Governor Abbott and House Republicans should prioritize emergency response efforts, especially in light of severe flooding that recently affected Texas.

Beyond redistricting, the session will also address issues related to flood preparedness and disaster relief following the tragic events that claimed over 100 lives in the Hill Country. Governor Abbott emphasized the need for improved disaster response measures in the aftermath of the floods.