Overview

• President Trump’s political operation has pressed Texas Republicans to explore a mid-decade redistricting aimed at shoring up the party’s narrow 220-213 House majority.
• Supporters argue the plan could flip as many as four to five Democratic-held seats, notably in South Texas districts represented by Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez.
• Several Texas GOP members caution that moving reliable Republican voters into swing districts risks undermining vulnerable incumbents in a year Democrats are expected to perform strongly.
• Gov. Greg Abbott would have to call a special legislative session to enact any new map, and he has not signaled whether he will convene lawmakers.
• Voting rights advocates and Democratic groups pledge immediate legal challenges, contending the proposal would intensify partisan gerrymandering and weaken Latino voting power.