Democrats are trying to take the fight to Republicans, alleging they are facing an existential threat, with Gov. Greg Abbott‘s (R-TX) attempt to redistrict Texas’s congressional map mid-cycle to protect the GOP’s majority in the United States House before next year’s midterm elections.

Both Texas Republicans and Democrats are ratcheting up their rhetoric over proposed US House maps that could give the GOP five more seats. But the action in Austin is stalled for now.

A standoff in Texas over redrawn U.S. House maps escalated as dozens of Democratic lawmakers fled the state to block a vote on a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump to shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects.