The Texas State Legislature has recessed for the day after failing again to have enough members present to vote on a GOP-drawn congressional redistricting plan. CBS News executive director for White House and Politics Fin Gómez has more.

Austin

The Texas House of Representatives has again failed to reach a quorum, preventing a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting plan. This follows the continued absence of Democratic lawmakers who left Texas for Illinois, effectively halting legislative proceedings. The standoff has lasted over a week and has become a focal point for national Democratic leaders, with figures such as Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin meeting with the absent lawmakers and expressing support.

Governor Greg Abbott has indicated he will continue to call special legislative sessions until the Democrats return. The situation has also prompted responses from leaders in other states, notably California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has criticized efforts to redraw congressional maps in a way that could favor Republicans. The impasse remains unresolved, with both sides maintaining their positions.

Texas House fails to reach quorum week after Democrats fled state

We are also following breaking news from Texas, where the state legislator has recessed for the day after failing again to have enough members present to vote on a GOP-drawn redistricting plan. It has now been more than a week since a group of state Democratic lawmakers fled Texas for Illinois, preventing the House from reaching the quorum needed to hold the vote. There being 96 members present, a quorum is not present. The House and Gallery, please rise for the invocation offered by Ron Joy of DPS. Earlier, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois met with the lawmakers to discuss their fight. I think we understand why they're here. This is not a vacation for them. This is a very important assignment to tackle an issue which affects the whole country. It isn't just a Texas issue. This is an American issue, an issue as to whether or not there'll be due process and fairness in our politics. And CBS News executive director of White House and Politics, Finn Goins, joins us now from Washington. Finn, always a pleasure to have you on. I mean, this was not entirely unexpected. So what now? Where do things go from here? Yeah, as you saw there, Nancy, the Texas standoff continues with no real end game in sight. This has gone on now for eight days since the Texas Democrats left, and many fled to different states, including Illinois, as we know. But it's also become a rallying cry for Democrats, not just in Texas, but on a national scale. You know, you see more national Democrats like showing support for these Texas Dems, you know, including governors from across the country really coming out in full force, really making this a centerpiece of their, you know, of their current, if you will, summer platform. It's become that significant of an issue. However, we did talk to some Democratic pollsters who say they have not really seen an impact with Democratic base voters yet. So that's something we really need to dive into more as this continues. But back to Texas. Governor Abbott's special session is set to expire on August 19th, Nancy. This is really important, because just yesterday, the governor of Texas said that he will call as many special elections—excuse me, special sessions as needed. If the Dems—if the Democrats do not come back in eight days, then he says he will essentially call another session. And then said after that, he's literally going to call another one. So, it continues with no end in sight, with both still facing each other and still anteing up the stakes in this ongoing battle of Texas Hold'em with major, major stakes. Maybe time to look into real estate in Illinois for some of those Democratic lawmakers. But, Finn, you were talking about that national landscape. On that national front, what other states do we need to keep our eyes on that could also move on this kind of momentum based on their state laws? Nancy, I think you should cue the Beach Boys music, because all eyes are now focused on California. That has become like the main counter. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been very vocal, also eyeing a possible 2028 run, of course. We have to keep that in mind. But he wrote President Trump today, urging the president to say—to, quote, call on the governor of Texas and the other red states who are acting on your request to draw new congressional maps through to—essentially to—and he said to stop those efforts. He said that the president was playing with fire and risking the destabilization of our democracy, but of course—and basically saying that if they don't change, if they don't change their mechanism, their efforts to increase congressional seats that favor Republicans, that he will continue with their efforts in California. That is really where there are really substantive efforts there that could counter the Republicans' efforts in Texas. Nancy? All right, Finn Gomez, always a treat to see you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

The National Guard has started to patrol the streets of Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency. He’s also ordered troops to clear out all homeless encampments by the end of the week.

Washington

National Guard starts patrolling Washington

Record-high temperatures across Europe are fanning wildfires across the continent. Experts say a warming climate and an increase in flammable vegetation from rural depopulation are major factors.

Madrid

Historic heat fuels fires across Europe

Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán said the EU attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. He also called for an EU-Russia summit.

Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

EU leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

President Trump said Monday he expects that Russia and Ukraine will "land swap" certain territories as part of an eventual ceasefire deal. Mr. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump claims 'land swapping' between Russia, Ukraine will happen

Taylor Swift confirmed her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," in a teaser for her upcoming appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast. Swift did not disclose the release date of the album.

Taylor Swift announces new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will be to "feel out" the leader as pressure mounts for Russia and Ukraine to make a peace deal.

Trump to meet with Putin in Alaska on Friday

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take place in Alaska, with European leaders notably excluded from the talks. Until Europe can defend itself, it's not likely to be invited to a great power dialogue, experts have told Euronews.

Alaska

Europe frozen out as U.S. and Russia prepare for Alaska talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Kyiv and Moscow will both have to cede land to end the war in Ukraine and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week will instantly show whether the Kremlin leader is willing to make a deal.

Trump says both sides in Ukraine war will need to cede territory

A prominent Al Jazeera journalist, who had previously been threatened by Israel, was killed along with four colleagues and another journalist in an Israeli airstrike in an attack condemned by journalists and rights groups.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza

At last one person is dead, dozens are injured and two people are unaccounted for after an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton plant in Pennsylvania on Monday.

Clairton

At least 1 dead, dozens injured in U.S. Steel plant explosion

President Donald Trump has placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and announced he's activating the National Guard to combat crime in Washington, D.C.

Trump deploying National Guard to Washington, D.C.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is thanking European leaders for backing his push to join this week's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, insisting an end to the war must be fair.

Trump and Putin set to meet on Friday without Zelenskyy

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Kyiv and its allies fear being sidelined and worry any deal could reward Moscow’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Kyiv

Ukraine fights for a seat at the table ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending his decision to keep fighting in Gaza, despite protests at home and abroad. Debora Patta has the latest.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu defends plan to expand war in Gaza

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is thanking European leaders for backing his push to join this week's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, insisting an end to the war must be fair. Willie James Inman has more from the White House.

Anchorage

Countdown begins to Trump-Putin meeting, without Zelenskyy

Violent weather hit several Midwest states over the weekend, with high winds being blamed for the death of at least one person in Nebraska and flash flooding prompting a state of emergency in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee inundated with floodwaters, one dead in Nebraska

Thirty-seven major wildfires are currently burning across nine states in the western United States. Firefighters have made significant progress on the Canyon Fire in California, achieving 62% containment and allowing over 4,000 residents to return home, with minimal property loss reported.

Major fires continue to burn across western U.S.

President Donald Trump's envoy met with the Qatari prime minister on Saturday in Spain to discuss possible deals to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as Israel's military plans to expand into Gaza City. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages and Palestinians alike are pleading for peace.

Families of Israeli hostages, Palestinians plead for ceasefire

Renewed anti-government protests have taken place in Israel, where relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas demanded their release and an end to the brutal war Israel has been waging in Gaza.

Israeli anti-government protesters take to the streets in Tel Aviv

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders that welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end the war, while emphasizing the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees for Kyiv.

Europe stresses need to protect Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meet

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has firmly rejected Russia’s proposal requiring land concessions to end the war. Ukrainian and European officials have submitted a counterproposal to Washington.

Ukraine, Europe counter Russian ceasefire proposal ahead of US talks

There have been more protests, and counter protests, in several British towns and cities, outside of hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers. Some far-right protesters called for one of the hotels to stop housing migrants.

Bournemouth

UK: Anti-immigration & anti-racism protesters face off

A man who opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, firing into the complex from a pharmacy and killing a police officer, blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal, according to reports.

Atlanta

Vaccine conspiracy could be behind Atlanta shooting

The Gifford Fire burning through the rugged backcountry of California's Central Coast is now the state's largest wildfire of the year. It has reached so-called "mega-fire" status and is one of 38 large fires burning across nine states.

San Luis Obispo

Largest California wildfire of 2025 reaches "mega fire" status

President Trump is preparing to take another swing at a deal with President Putin during a high-stakes summit next Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country will never give up land, even if it means an end to the war.

Trump: Ukraine must cede land for ceasefire; Zelenskyy refuses

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a rare Sunday meeting to discuss Israel's plan to intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking control of Gaza City. CBS News' Debora Patta reports on the conflict and the mounting humanitarian crisis.

Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza comes under fire

At least 200 protesters have been arrested at a rally showing solidarity for Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Parliament in London. Crowds are also demonstrating against a ban on the Palestine Action group, after it was designated as a terrorist organisation.

Breakdown