Texas democrats end walkout as redistricting battle intensifies

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Monday, August 18th, 2025

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rki.news
AUSTIN, Texas Texas Democrats returned to the state Capitol on Monday after a two-week walkout that had stalled Republican efforts to advance a major congressional redistricting plan. Their absence had denied the Republican majority the quorum needed to move forward with maps designed to send five additional GOP representatives to Washington.
Their return now allows the Republican-led Legislature to resume work on the overhaul, even as California Democrats press a counterstrategy. Proposed maps released in California aim to expand Democratic representation in the U.S. House by five seats, effectively offsetting expected Republican gains in Texas.
The standoff has placed Texas and California, the nation’s two most populous states, at the center of a growing national clash over control of Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Former President Donald Trump has openly backed the GOP redistricting effort, framing it as part of a broader push to reshape the House in Republicans’ favor.
Texas Democrats described their walkout as a tactical success, noting that it delayed passage of the maps and drew national attention to what they called an aggressive gerrymandering attempt. The episode underscores the high stakes and partisan brinkmanship driving the battle for congressional power.