Abbott announces redistricting will be included in Texas special session

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced on Wednesday that redistricting will be included in a legislative special session slated to take place later this month. 

The governor said in a release that the session will tackle "[legislation] that provides a revised congressional redistricting plan in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice."

Abbott said last month he would be calling a special session, noting a handful of bills that were either filed without signature or were vetoed that would be under consideration during the special session. However, those items did not initially include redistricting. 

"We delivered on historic legislation in the 89th Regular Legislative Session that will benefit Texans for generations to come," Abbott said in the release Wednesday. "There is more work to be done, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country. We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future." 

His announcement comes after reporting last month that President Trump’s political team was pushing for midcycle redistricting.  

Though Texas is not due to draw new House lines until after the 2030 census, Republicans are looking to defend a narrow 220-212 House majority next year and are contending with the traditional headwinds typically associated with the president’s party during midterm cycles.  

Republicans control the state Legislature, governor’s office and state Supreme Court, meaning the party will be able to easily overcome any Democratic opposition to redrawing the state’s maps. However, it remains unclear how that litigation could play out if it makes its way through the federal court system, particularly as the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s maps in 2023 for likely violating the Voting Rights Act. 

Another looming question is whether redistricting the maps could endanger Republicans in nearby districts and make their seats potentially more competitive.