Republicans in the Texas House passed new Congressional maps Wednesday evening that they hope will boost the odds the GOP can keep control over the narrowly divided U.S. House of Representatives in next year's midterm elections.
The redistricting maps were approved by the Texas House despite a two-week Democratic walkout intended to delay the vote. Democrats fled the state in a high-profile protest to prevent state lawmakers from achieving a quorum and passing the maps. The final vote was 88-52 along party lines.
The new maps will transform three deep-blue districts into deep-red ones, NBC News reported. They'll also shift two Democratic-held districts in south Texas slightly rightward toward the GOP.
“The underlying goal is this plan is straightforward: Improve Republican political performance,” Republican State Rep. Todd Hunter told colleagues earlier in the day.
The Texas State Senate plans to vote Thursday on the new maps, with Gov. Greg Abbott expected to sign them by the end of the week.
The move has ignited a broader redistricting battle, with Democrats in other states — particularly California — launching their own efforts to redraw district lines that favor their party.