Texas House Passes 'One Big Beautiful Congressional Map'

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The Texas House has passed the "One Big Beautiful Congressional Map." After weeks of deliberation from Texas House Democrats, the GOP is closer to gaining five new congressional seats in the Lone Star state.

In an 88 to 52 vote, the Texas House voted for House Bill 4, a bill that alters Texas' congressional map. Referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Congressional Map" by Republicans, a Senate panel passed a similar measure over the weekend, and Republicans plan to send the measure to Governor Greg Abbott's (R) desk by the end of the week.

The vote comes after Texas House Democrats tried everything they could to prevent the vote. They fled the state, took part in a "Slumber Party for Democracy," and Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu (D) even introduced an amendment that would ensure the "Epstein Files" were released before lawmakers voted on House Bill 4.

The effort was rejected on a point of order in the Texas Legislature.

The response to the vote has been as critical as it was when the idea was first proposed.

State Rep. Venton Jones (D) took to social media to call out Republicans, suggesting that they are "racist."

"When you have to explain why you our your 'friends on the floor' are not racist, you might have a problem," he opined. "I am literally watching this conversation go down on the floor RIGHT NOW."

In response, state Rep. David Lowe (R) questioned why Democrats across the aisle would seek out friendships with Republican lawmakers if they were racist.

"Democrat representatives know we are not racists, but they also know 'Racist' is a buzzword that is politically beneficial to their side," he observed. "If Republicans [sic] reps are so 'Racist' why do Democrat reps offer to take Republican reps out to dinner and ask them to joint-author their bills?"

With Texas inching closer to five additional congressional seats, California has countered by claiming they will also explore adding congressional seats. Other states could follow suit.

Daniel Molina

Daniel Molina is a managing editor and legislative correspondent with a decade of experience covering the evolving political landscape of the American South and Southwest.