Texas Gov Greg Abbott to sign congressional map with potential for 5 new GOP seats

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Saturday that he will sign into law the new congressional voting map passed by the state Senate that has the potential to add five Republican seats in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.  

“One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate and is on its way to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law,” Abbott said in a statement. “I promised we would get this done, and deliver on that promise. I thank Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for leading the passage in the Senate of a bill that ensures our maps reflect Texans’ voting preferences.”

The Senate approved the map on an 18-11 vote, following the House’s passage earlier in the week after Democratic lawmakers returned from a two-week walkout aimed at blocking the proposal. The Senate had initially passed the plan last week, but was required to vote again after the expiration of Abbott’s first special legislative session.

In retaliation, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a special vote for November, where his state’s residents can vote on a redrawn congressional map designed to add five Democratic seats in his state. President Donald Trump has urged other Republican-led states to revise their maps as well. 

Democrats signaled plans to mount legal challenges to Texas’ actions, a report by The Hill noted. Representative Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said, “We are seeing Democrats around the country respond and fight back to make sure DC Republicans cannot steal the House Majority.” 

“I applaud the Texas Democratic lawmakers who have been at the forefront of this fight and inspired people across the country to stand up and fight back against Republicans’ shameful attempt to cling onto power,” she added. “Today is not the final word on this gerrymandered map, and the fight to preserve equal and fair representation for everyone in Texas shall continue in the courts.”