Texas Republicans are pushing to finalize a mid-decade redraw of the state's congressional map. The GOP-controlled Senate debated the bill on Friday, with Democrats questioning its legality. They argue it violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting racial voter influence. California Democrats responded to the Texas effort by passing legislation Thursday for a special election to approve their own redrawn map. The moves are part of a broader redistricting battle among states. Both parties are redrawing lines to secure power ahead of the midterms, with accusations of gerrymandering on both sides.

The Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives kicked off a heated debate over a new congressional map creating five new potential GOP seats that is expected to pass the chamber later Wednesday as part of a growing national redistricting battle. The plan is the result of prodding by President Donald Trump, eager to stave off a midterm defeat that would deprive his party of control of the House of Representatives. Texas Democratic state lawmakers delayed the vote by leaving the state, but enough returned this week for the body to reconvene. The GOP House speaker assigned round-the-clock police monitors to Democrats to keep them from leaving again.

Texas Republicans have ended a legislative session without approving new congressional maps but quickly began another intended to satisfy President Donald Trump's wishes for redistricting that bolsters the GOP. Democrats blocked the plan by leaving the state during a special session that Republicans adjourned on Friday. They immediately began another. Meanwhile, California Democrats are preparing to counter Republican gains in Texas. The redistricting battle has become a national issue, with both states at the forefront. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a special election to approve redrawn districts. Texas Democrats have indicated they would return to Austin only after California more formally begins its process to counter Republicans.