LOS ANGELES: A political standoff in Texas over proposed House maps that could hand Republicans five new seats is poised to enter a new phase Friday, while heavily Democratic California plans to release its own new maps intended to erase all but a sprinkle of the state’s GOP House districts in the fight over control of Congress.
The hectic maneuvering in the nation’s two most populous states underscored the stakes for both parties in the narrowly divided House that could determine the fate of President Donald Trump’s agenda in the second half of his term.
On Thursday, Texas Democrats moved closer to ending a nearly two-week walkout that has blocked the GOP’s redrawing of US House maps before the 2026 election. The Democrats announced they will return to the state provided that Texas Republicans end a special session and California releases its own redrawn map proposal, both of which were expected to happen Friday.
However, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to call another special session to push through new maps. Democratic lawmakers vowed to take the fight to the courts.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said his state will hold a Nov. 4 special election to seek approval of redrawn districts intended to give Democrats five more US House seats, in a counterpunch to undercut any gains in Texas.
