Abbott pushes GOP-friendly maps that could add five House seats; Democrats ready to resume fight.
Austin, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday convened
a second special legislative session aimed at pushing through new congressional
maps that could give Republicans as many as five additional seats in the US
House, as Democrats signaled they may end their weeks-long standoff and return
to the Capitol.
The announcement came just hours after the Texas
House and Senate formally adjourned the first special session, which collapsed
when Democrats left the state to block a quorum.
For Abbott, the move marks a renewed push to
advance one of his key political priorities: cementing Republican dominance in
Texas’ congressional delegation.
Democrats, who decamped to Chicago and other states
during the first session, now appear ready to come back. Sources said they
could return as early as Monday, provided the new session offers fresh ground
for debate.
Their conditions include the end of the first
session and progress on California’s pending congressional map, which could
offset Texas’ expected GOP gains by adding Democratic seats elsewhere.
The California legislature is set to begin its
redistricting process Monday, a development closely watched in Austin.
Republicans, meanwhile, are poised to revive the
same map they introduced weeks ago, which analysts say would shore up existing
GOP seats while creating up to five new districts favorable to Republicans.
Abbott, in announcing the special session, blasted
Democrats for “running away” from their responsibilities. “We will not back
down from this fight,” the governor declared. “I will continue to use all
necessary tools to ensure Texas delivers results for Texans.”
The governor also hinted at possible changes,
telling reporters: “We hold a lot more bullets in our belt that we’ll be ready
to use if we need to.”
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows expressed optimism
that quorum could be met on Monday. He urged lawmakers to return to Austin by
noon, with the goal of completing legislative business before Labor Day
weekend.
State Rep. Ann Johnson, a Democrat from Houston,
defended the walkout as a stand against gerrymandering. “We ended a session
that had nothing to do with helping Texans and everything to do with silencing
them,” she said.
Even with Democrats back on the floor, Republicans
hold the votes needed to approve the maps. Legal challenges are almost certain
to follow, as civil rights groups argue the plans could dilute minority voting
power.
Beyond redistricting, Abbott expanded the session’s
agenda to include flood relief after devastating storms in the Hill Country
last month, which left dozens dead and caused widespread damage.
Lawmakers will also debate new regulations on camp
safety, following the July 4 floods that killed campers and staff in a summer
program.
Other conservative priorities from the first
session — ranging from education reforms to election security measures — are
also expected to reemerge in the new 30-day session.
Political observers note that Texas is not alone in
facing high-stakes redistricting fights. Across the country, states are
redrawing congressional boundaries in ways that could shift the balance of
power in Washington for the next decade.
For Democrats, returning to the Capitol represents
both a tactical retreat and a chance to voice opposition directly on the floor.
For Republicans, the path appears clear to consolidate gains unless courts
intervene.
As the second session unfolds, the battle over
Texas’ political future promises to remain as heated as ever — with national
implications in the 2026 midterms.