Overview

• The Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting completed its sole public hearing on August 1, with a committee vote now scheduled for August 2 ahead of a full-House debate next week.
• Republicans openly acknowledge the plan’s partisan objectives, with bill sponsor Todd Hunter saying the maps were drawn using “political performance” to create five additional GOP-leaning districts.
• Democrats are weighing a quorum-denial walkout that would stall legislation but risk fines and delay critical flood relief, while civil rights groups prepare Voting Rights Act lawsuits.
• Gov. Greg Abbott convened the 30-day special session after a Justice Department letter flagged four existing districts as racially gerrymandered, empowering lawmakers to redraw 37 of 38 districts.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled plans for a possible November special election to revise his state’s congressional maps in response if Texas finalizes its new plan.