Democrats vowed on Tuesday to do whatever they can to stop the President Donald Trump-led effort to remake Texas’ congressional map, saying it was both corrupt and a distraction from the response to recent deadly flooding.
“There is an ongoing search and rescue operation, and lives have been turned upside down as it relates to the historic and devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “But instead of addressing this serious crisis that has affected tens of thousands of lives in unthinkable ways, Donald Trump, House Republicans here in Washington and Governor [Greg] Abbott are conspiring to rig the Texas congressional map as part of an effort to disenfranchise millions of people.”
Trump has pushed for redistricting in Texas despite concerns from some Republicans that creating more Republican districts could make bright red districts more moderate, endangering incumbents. The president reportedly told GOP members on Tuesday that the party will seek to gain five additional Republican seats. The Texas state legislature will start a special session on July 21 that will address redistricting as well as devastation caused by the flooding.