After a two‑week walkout, Democratic lawmakers returned to the Texas Capitol on Monday - restoring the quorum and clearing the way for Republicans to advance a high-stakes new congressional map that could shift up to five Democratic seats to GOP control.
The map, championed by former President Trump and fast-tracked by Republican leaders, stands as a rare mid‑decade redraw tied to the 2026 midterm battle.
The House is expected to vote today amid escalating tensions - Democrats continue protesting what they call an assault on democratic norms, with Representative Nicole Collier rejecting a “permission slip” and even sleeping in the chamber in defiance of DPS monitoring.
Legal challenges are already lining up, with critics warning the move undermines minority representation and flirts with gerrymandering.