Democrats from Austin to Washington were defiant, calling the maps racist and illegal, accusing Republicans of political gerrymandering to step on the will

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has promised to sign a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans maintain their slim majority in Congress

The Texas Senate voted to approve a controversial, mid-decade redistricting bill that redraws the state's congressional map in Republican's favor. The new districts could give the GOP as many as five more seats in Congress after the 2026 midterm elections.