Overview

• A three-judge panel in El Paso opened a multi-day hearing that will decide whether Texas can use its 2025 congressional map in 2026, a plan designed to boost Republicans by as many as five seats and potentially affect the U.S. House after the president pressed for a redraw.
• Plaintiffs argue the redesign dilutes the power of Black and Hispanic voters to elect their preferred candidates, with Democratic Sen. Carol Alvarado and Rep. Joe Moody testifying about effects in Houston and El Paso.
• State attorneys contend the map reflects lawful partisan objectives rather than racial intent and rejected Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon’s DOJ letter as nonbinding on the Legislature.
• Gov. Greg Abbott previously cited the DOJ letter and a court ruling as prompting the special session that produced the map, even as the state now frames the effort as purely political.
• Authorship took center stage as it became apparent Adam Kincaid drew the lines; plaintiffs subpoenaed him for a deposition, the state argued the request was too late, and the judges said they will rule Thursday on whether he must sit before testifying next week.