The Texas Senate has given final approval to a new congressional voting map favoring Republicans, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign it quickly, though Democrats have promised to challenge it in court.
President Donald Trump has actively supported the map, aiming to help the GOP maintain its narrow majority in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections. The plan introduces five new districts designed to favor Republican candidates.
The push by Trump and Texas’ Republican-led Legislature sparked a two-week walkout by state Democrats and has triggered a wave of redistricting efforts nationwide.
Democrats had planned a final show of resistance, attempting to delay the Senate vote into the early morning hours. State Sen. Carol Alvarado — leader of the Senate Democratic caucus — announced on social media her intention to filibuster the bill with a long speech, aiming to postpone the final vote. However, the Senate broke for a lengthy dinner recess just as she was preparing to start.
Alvarado’s efforts mark the latest chapter in a weeks-long standoff in the Texas Legislature, which has included a Democratic walkout and Republican threats of arrest. Much of the drama unfolded in the House, where the map ultimately passed Wednesday.
“Republicans think they can walk all over us. Today I’m going to kick back,” Alvarado wrote on social media Friday. “I’ve submitted my intention to filibuster the new congressional maps. Going to be a long night.”
Democrats had already slowed the bill’s passage during hours of debate, pressing State Sen. Phil King — the bill’s sponsor — on the legality of the proposal. Many Democrats alleged that the redrawn districts violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting voters’ influence based on race, claims King strongly denied.
“I had two goals in mind: That all maps would be legal and would be better for Republican congressional candidates in Texas,” King said.
“There is extreme risk the Republican majority will be lost” in the U.S. House if the map does not pass, he added.
The Texas showdown has intensified a nationwide, state-by-state redistricting battle, with governors from both parties signaling plans to redraw their congressional maps. The effort was sparked by Trump urging Texas Republicans to adjust the state’s U.S. House map to secure more seats in 2026.
