Texas Redistricting Plan Sparks Controversy
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday decried a Republican-driven redistricting plan designed to eliminate five congressional seats held by Texas Democrats and said “all options” are available to stop it.
“This great country, our system that was gifted to us by the framers of the Constitution, should be one where the people of Texas are able to decide which elected officials have the ability and honor to represent them in Washington,” Jeffries said while standing with Democratic members of Congress and the Texas Legislature gathered in Austin. “Republican politicians want to choose their voters. That is wrong, and it will undermine the quality of life of the people of this great state.”
Criticism of the Redistricting Plan
Jeffries criticized Texas Republicans for focusing on a redistricting plan during a special session when the primary issue is recovering from the Independence Day floods in central Texas that killed 138 people. He said access to affordable health care and fixes to the state’s power grid should be discussed by lawmakers, not changing electoral boundaries at the insistence of President Donald Trump.
“This special session should be about relief, recovery and resiliency in the face of a state government that failed the people of the Texas Hill Country, but it is not,” he said. “Donald Trump has ordered Greg Abbott and compliant Texas Republicans to race back to Austin and have a special session in order to rig the congressional map and undermine the ability of Texans to have a free and fair midterm election. That is wrong. You deserve better.”
The Proposed Redistricting Bill
The proposed bill, filed Wednesday by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, would flip five Democratic seats to Republican control.
Specifically, it would eliminate one Democratically held seat each from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and the Austin/San Antonio area. District lines would also be redrawn in South Texas, pushing two seats currently held by Democrats toward stronger Republican majorities, according to an analysis based on 2024 election results.
The proposed maps would drastically reshape North Texas’ congressional districts, including areas represented by U.S. Reps. Julie Johnson and Marc Veasey.
Texas Rep. Aicha Davis, D-Dallas, left, hugs U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher after U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, middle, spoke against Texas redistricting efforts at at a news conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Thursday, July 31, 2025./Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Jay Janner / AP
Response to the Redistricting Plan
Jeffries urged Texans and Democrats not to give up the fight but did not specifically endorse any tactics, such as Democrats in the Legislature leaving the state to prevent Republicans from having the quorum needed to approve a redistricting bill.
He said Texas Democrats would be assisted in fighting against the redistricting bill “politically, governmentally and in court.”
“We’re going to do everything possible to support the Texas legislators as they consider the best ways to push back,” he said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment, and all options should be on the table to protect the people of Texas, but Texas Democrats are going to be the ones to decide that.”
U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey and Julie Johnson speak during the Stop the Steal rally against redistricting efforts by President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans at Lake Cliff Park in Dallas on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer
Next Steps
The House committee is set to hold a public hearing on the plan Friday at the Capitol.
Jeffries added that the resistance to the redistricting plan was just getting started. On Thursday, he was joined by U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, Al Green and Sylvia Garcia of Houston, along with Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.
“This fight is not over. It’s just beginning,” he said. “And led by the people standing behind me, there is an ability for the people of Texas to make their voices heard. Show up. Stand up. Speak up for what is right, for their opportunity to determine their own destiny through the gift of democracy and free and fair elections.”
Conclusion
The Texas redistricting plan has sparked controversy and criticism from Democrats, who argue that it is an attempt to undermine the democratic process and give Republicans an unfair advantage. The plan, which would eliminate five Democratic seats and redraw district lines, has been called a “power grab” by some. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the plan will ultimately play out and what impact it will have on the state of Texas and the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Texas redistricting plan?
The Texas redistricting plan is a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional district lines, which would eliminate five Democratic seats and give Republicans a stronger
