Texas House Republicans have approved a plan to redraw voting boundaries, that critics say "stacks the deck" in favor of U.S. President Donald Trump's party. It's the first step in the controversial plan.

Washington

Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives have approved a new congressional map, which they acknowledge is intended to secure five additional seats for their party in the next midterm elections. Democrats, who previously attempted to delay the vote, argue that the map violates federal civil rights laws by diluting the voting power of minority communities and have announced plans to challenge it in court.

The redistricting effort has been publicly supported by former President Donald Trump, who urged Texas Republicans to pass the measure. In response, Democrat-led states, such as California, are also pursuing partisan redistricting strategies to bolster their own electoral prospects. The issue is expected to lead to ongoing legal and political battles across multiple states.

Texas Republicans approve controversial Trump-backed congressional map

Welcome back. Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives had delayed this vote for as long as they could, even at one point leaving the state for two weeks to prevent a debate. But eventually, Republicans who hold a majority passed the measure they openly admit is designed to give their party five extra seats at next year's midterm elections. The votes today have followed the Supreme Court, which is partisanship preferential. And yes, we have a congressional plan. What's the difference to the whole world listening? Republicans support it. Democrats do not. The Democrats say the plan falls afoul of federal civil rights legislation, and they intend to sue. These maps will prevent black and brown individuals from selecting the candidate of their choice because they're cracking and packing these districts. They are splitting them up, and they're not allowing communities that have shared interests to vote for the candidate of their choice. Next year's congressional midterm elections are expected to be very close. And for the White House, there's much at stake. If the Republicans lose the House of Representatives, Democrats will have free reign to investigate the Trump administration, subpoena witnesses, and perhaps even threaten impeachment. The president has spearheaded a strategy to get Republican states to redraw their electoral maps to help boost the Republicans' chances. Donald Trump posting this week that Texas Republicans need to help us win the 2026 midterm elections and pass their new bill as is for the one big, beautiful congressional map. As a result, Democrat-controlled states say they'll also redistrict in a nakedly partisan manner to help their party's chances of taking the House. The governor of California has taken the lead. His redistricting plan is also intended to give the Democrats five extra seats in the midterms, but he faces an extra hurdle. It will have to be approved in a state referendum in November. What we're doing neuters, neutralizes what's happening in Texas. People have a chance with this ballot on November 4th to stand up to the rule of law, stand up for co-equal branches of government, stand up to, yes, Donald Trump, but also stand up in the spirit that defines this moment to people being bullied and people being intimidated. And this is a fight that's expected to roll on in state after state across the nation. Shia Bratanzi, Al Jazeera.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel begins Gaza City operation

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New York

Trump civil fraud case $527 million penalty thrown out

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Global Tariffs

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After weeks of pushback from Democrats, House Republicans in Texas have passed controversial legislation to redraw the state's congressional map, giving the GOP an advantage in multiple seats.

Austin

Texas House passes controversial GOP redistricting map

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

The Texas House on Wednesday night passed a controversial, Republican-backed proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps. The bill now moves onto the Texas Senate. CBS News reporter Erica Brown has more.

Texas

Texas House approves GOP congressional redistricting map

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Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

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Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

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North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

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New Delhi

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Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps.

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Toronto

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Hong Kong Island

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East Coast of the United States

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Los Angeles

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La Paz

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Kyiv

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Breakdown