Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans gain more seats in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a win for President Donald Trump and his desire to hold on to a slim GOP majority in the U.S. House. The Texas maps drafted in rare mid-decade redistricting have prompted a gerrymandering tug-of-war for voters with Democrats in states across the country. Outnumbered Democrats tried in vain to stop the Texas vote. At one point, they staged a two-week walkout. Democrats have vowed to challenge the new map in court.

President Donald Trump is pushing Republicans in Texas to redraw the state's congressional maps to help ensure the party keeps its majority in the U.S. House in next year's midterm elections. The president's directive signals part of the strategy Trump is likely to take to avoid a repeat of his first term, when Democrats flipped the House just two years into his presidency. When asked about the possibility of adding GOP-friendly districts around the country, Trump responded, "Texas will be the biggest one. And that'll be five." House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump's push will "undermine free and fair elections."

A House Democratic lawmaker has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, citing Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump failing to "effectively defend his many accomplishments." Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas said Tuesday that Biden should "make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw." Doggett represents an Austin-based district and is serving his 15th term in Congress. Doggett is the first sitting lawmaker in the Democratic Party to publicly state what many have been privately whispering behind closed doors since last week's debate. Biden concedes the debate didn't go well but says he's ready to fight for another term.