AUSTIN, Texas — The nation’s two most populous states — California and Texas — grappled for political benefit upfront of 2026 elections that would reorder the stability of energy in Washington and threaten President Donald Trump’s agenda on the midpoint of his second time period.
In Texas, Democrats on Monday prevented their state’s Home of Representatives from transferring ahead, a minimum of for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by Trump to shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as his political standing falters.
In California, Democrats inspired by Gov. Gavin Newsom are contemplating new political maps that would slash 5 Republican-held Home seats within the liberal-leaning state whereas bolstering Democratic incumbents in different battleground districts. The transfer is meant to undercut any GOP good points in Texas, doubtlessly swinging Home management and giving Democrats a counterweight to Trump on Capitol Hill.
A draft plan goals to spice up the Democratic margin in California to 48 of 52 congressional seats, in accordance with a supply conversant in the plan who was not approved to debate it publicly. That’s up from the 43 seats the get together now holds. It could want approval from lawmakers and voters, who could also be skeptical to provide it after handing redistricting energy to an impartial fee years in the past.
The rivalry places a highlight on two states that for years have dueled over jobs, innovation, status — even sports activities — with the backdrop of clashing political visions — one progressive, one conservative.
After dozens of Democrats left Texas, the Republican-dominated Home was unable to ascertain the quorum of lawmakers required to do enterprise. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about eradicating members who’re absent from their seats. Democrats counter that Abbott is utilizing “smoke and mirrors” to say authorized authority he doesn’t have.
The Home rapidly issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Abbott ordered state troopers to assist discover and arrest them, however lawmakers bodily outdoors Texas are past the jurisdiction of state authorities.
“Should you proceed to go down this highway, there can be penalties,” Home Speaker Rep. Dustin Burrows stated from the chamber flooring, later telling reporters that features fines.
Democrats’ revolt and Abbott’s threats intensified a combat over congressional maps that started in Texas however now contains Democratic governors who’ve pitched redrawing their district maps in retaliation — even when their options are limited. The dispute additionally displays Trump’s aggressive view of presidential power and his grip on the Republican Celebration nationally, whereas testing the longstanding stability of powers between the federal authorities and particular person states.
The deadlock facilities on Trump’s effort to get 5 extra GOP-leaning congressional seats in Texas, at Democrats’ expense, before the midterms. That will bolster his get together’s possibilities of preserving its fragile U.S. Home majority, one thing Republicans had been unable to do within the 2018 midterms throughout Trump’s first presidency. Republicans presently maintain 25 of Texas’ 38 seats. That is almost a 2-to-1 benefit and already a wider partisan hole than the 2024 presidential outcomes: Trump received 56.1% of Texas ballots, whereas Democrat Kamala Harris acquired 42.5%.
Based on the tentative California proposal, districts now held by Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao and Doug LaMalfa would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted in a shift that may make it possible a left-leaning candidate would prevail in every race.
In battleground districts held by Democratic Reps. Dave Min, Mike Levin and Derek Tran, the get together’s edge could be boosted to strengthen their maintain on the seats, the supply stated.
Democratic members of California’s congressional delegation had been briefed on the brand new map on Monday, in accordance with an individual conversant in the assembly who requested anonymity to debate personal conversations.
The proposal is being circulated on the identical time that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has stated he needs to advance partisan redistricting. He says he received’t transfer forward if Texas pauses its efforts.
Newsom stated he’d name a particular election for the primary week of November. Voters would weigh a brand new congressional map drawn by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
“California is not going to sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away,” Newsom stated Monday.
Greater than 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) from Austin, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared with Texas Democrats and argued their trigger is nationwide.
“We’re not going to tolerate our democracy being stolen in a modern-day stagecoach heist by a bunch of law-breaking cowboys,” Hochul stated Monday. “If Republicans are keen to rewrite guidelines to provide themselves a bonus, then they’re leaving us with no alternative: We should do the identical. You need to combat hearth with hearth.”
In Texas, legislators who left the state declined to say how lengthy they will maintain out.
“We acknowledged after we bought on the aircraft that we’re on this for the lengthy haul,” stated Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer whereas in Illinois.
Texas Home Democratic Caucus chief Gene Wu stated members “will do no matter it takes” however added, “What that appears like, we don’t know.”
Legislative walkouts often only delay passage of a bill, like in 2021, when many Democrats left Texas for 38 days to protest proposed voting restrictions. As soon as they returned, Republicans handed that measure.
Lawmakers can’t cross payments within the 150-member Home with out two-thirds of members current. Democrats maintain 62 seats within the majority-Republican chamber, and a minimum of 51 left the state, in accordance with a Democratic aide.
The Texas Supreme Court docket held in 2021 that Home leaders may “bodily compel the attendance” of lacking members, however no Democrats had been forcibly introduced again to the state after warrants were served. Republicans answered by adopting $500 day by day fines for lawmakers who do not present.
Abbott, in the meantime, continues to make unsubstantiated claims that some lawmakers have dedicated felonies by soliciting cash to pay for potential fines for leaving Texas in the course of the session.
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Barrow reported from Atlanta. Blood reported from Los Angeles. Related Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Washington, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas, additionally contributed to this report.
