US President Donald Trump is pushing Texas Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional maps to create more House seats favorable to his party, as part of a broader effort to help the GOP retain control of the chamber in next year’s midterm elections.
According to reports, Trump had a call with members of Texas’ Republican congressional delegation and told them that the state Legislature would pursue five new winnable seats through redistricting. This move comes shortly before the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature is scheduled to begin a special session next week to consider new congressional maps.
The effort has raised concerns among Democrats, who argue that it will lead to further marginalization of their party in the state. Rick Hasen, a law professor at UCLA, noted that there’s a point where you can “slice the baloney too thin and it backfires,” referring to the potential risks of redrawing maps.
However, Trump’s push has also drawn support from some Republicans, who see an opportunity to expand their majority in the congressional delegation. GOP lawmakers have argued that the new map will lead to significant gains, particularly among Latino voters.
The move comes as Democrats face challenges in retaliating against the GOP’s efforts. Many states with Democratic control have independent commissions drawing maps, which makes it harder for the party to respond. However, some lawsuits have been filed in states like Wisconsin and Utah, which could potentially alter the electoral landscape before the midterm elections.
Overall, Trump’s push to redraw Texas’ congressional maps is part of a broader strategy to maintain GOP control of the chamber. While some Republicans see potential benefits from the move, Democrats are concerned about the risks of further marginalization and the impact on their chances in next year’s midterms.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-house-republicans-texas-redistricting-d18e8280a32872d9eefcbb26f66a0331