Democracy Docket

07/15/2025

With Texas set to begin a special session that includes drawing a new congressional map next week, national Democrats say they’re exploring ways to stop the Republican plan.

The rare mid-decade redistricting push comes after President Donald Trump pressured Texas Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional map to help the party hold its slim majority in the House.

“All options will continue to be on the table as it relates to our efforts to push back legislatively and legally in Texas,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said at a Tuesday news conference.

Jeffries condemned what he called Texas’ “illegal, unconstitutional and egregious effort to rig the elections and gerrymander the maps.”

Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), whose district is targeted by Republicans, filed a bill Thursday to ban mid-decade redistricting efforts unless mandated by a court order.

Jeffries and other top national Democrats are reportedly set to encourage Democrats to break quorum in the Texas Legislature — that is, stay away from the upcoming session — so there won’t be enough members present for Republicans to hold a vote on their redrawn map. Texas Democrats attempted the maneuver in 2021 to block a sweeping bill packed with election restrictions, but they ultimately caved and failed to stop the measure.

But a top aide to a House Democrat told Democracy Docket members could be reluctant to delay flood relief items that are also on the agenda for the session.

Trump reportedly told Texas Republicans Tuesday that the party aims to gain five seats from redrawing the state’s congressional map.