Overview

• Texas Democrats ended their roughly two-week quorum-denying walkout Monday, allowing the Republican-controlled legislature to reconvene and advance the disputed congressional map.
• Republicans, backed by President Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott, aim to redraw Texas districts to net about five additional U.S. House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• California lawmakers have published their own proposed congressional maps and set a special-election referendum planned for November 4 to add up to five Democratic seats as a countermeasure.
• More than 300 coordinated protests in 34 states, including a 5,000-strong rally at the Texas Capitol, have underscored grassroots opposition and organizers have scheduled further national actions.
• Both parties are preparing a new wave of legal challenges over mid-decade redistricting that could wind up before federal courts and reshape control of the U.S. House.