Members of Texas’ Republican congressional delegation met at the U.S. Capitol to discuss a proposal to redraw their House districts, an unusual move that would require legislative action well before the next scheduled redistricting cycle in 2030.
Representative Pete Sessions (R) confirmed the meeting took place and included most of the 25-member Republican delegation from Texas. The discussion follows a report by The New York Times that allies of President Donald Trump (R) have urged Texas officials to consider reshaping some of the state’s 38 congressional districts in an effort to bolster Republican chances in the 2026 midterms.
“There’s a lot we don’t know,” Sessions told reporters outside the meeting, citing uncertainty over whether Gov. Greg Abbott (R) supports the idea. Under Texas law, Abbott holds sole authority to call a special legislative session, something that would be necessary to advance any mid-decade redistricting plan.
Sessions said the group plans to meet again to “share data” and continue deliberating. He offered few specifics and declined to say whether the effort is being coordinated with Trump’s team, beyond clarifying that “President Donald Trump would not be attending” the meetings.
Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years, after the U.S. Census. However, there is no federal law prohibiting states from redrawing their maps more frequently, provided they comply with constitutional and Voting Rights Act standards.
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House, and several Texas districts have become more competitive in recent election cycles. While Sessions did not mention any specific districts under consideration, he acknowledged the sensitivity of any potential changes.
“We want to make sure all of our members, even those that are brand new, have an opportunity to see this for what it is,” he said. “We need to consider how it impacts the entire delegation.”
The idea of a mid-cycle redistricting effort has already drawn scrutiny from Democrats and voting rights advocates, who argue it would be a partisan power play aimed at entrenching GOP control.
For now, the proposal remains in early stages. Whether it moves forward will likely depend on support from state legislative leaders, and ultimately, from the governor.
