Texas GOP Hopes to Redraw Congressional Map And Keep Control Of U.S. House

Summary

Summary of "Texas GOP Hopes to Redraw Congressional Map And Keep Control Of U.S. House"

The NPR Politics Podcast
Host/Author: NPR
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Episode Title: Texas GOP Hopes to Redraw Congressional Map And Keep Control Of U.S. House

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Introduction

In the July 21, 2025 episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, hosts Sarah McCammon, Domenico Montanaro, and Hansi Le Wang delve into the Texas GOP's ambitious plan to redraw the state's congressional map. This move aims to solidify Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The discussion expands to include broader national implications, legal challenges, and the evolving strategies of both major political parties in the realm of redistricting.

Texas GOP's Redistricting Strategy

The episode begins with an exploration of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's initiative to initiate a special redistricting session five years before the next census. Hansi Le Wang explains that the Republican Party of Texas views this early redistricting as a strategic move to "preserve GOP control in Congress" (02:22). This decision deviates from the traditional once-a-decade process following census results.

Key Points:

• Political Control: Republicans in Texas hold significant power, controlling both the governor's office and the state legislature, which positions them to influence district maps effectively.
• Trump's Influence: President Trump has endorsed the new redistricting effort, believing it could net Republicans five additional House seats (02:29).

Legal Justifications and Controversies

The rationale behind the Texas GOP's push for redistricting is scrutinized, particularly the legal justifications presented. Hansi Le Wang discusses a letter from a Trump-appointed Justice Department official alleging that four of Texas's 38 districts are racially gerrymandered (02:33). However, this claim faces skepticism from legal experts who argue that the accusations may be a facade for partisan gerrymandering efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Hansi Le Wang: "Republicans in Texas do not need a legal justification to re redistrict for Congress right now in the middle of the decade." (03:35)
• Domenico Montanaro: "The Constitution gives state legislatures the right to redraw districts," emphasizing that partisan gerrymandering based solely on political advantage is currently legal. (03:15)

Implications for the U.S. House of Representatives

Domenico Montanaro highlights the narrow margins in the House, stating, "There is such a narrow margin right now that one seat here or there can really make a big difference" (05:54). This underscores the high stakes involved in the redistricting process, as even minor shifts in district boundaries can influence overall party control.

Key Points:

• Competitive Elections: Redrawing districts can make elections less competitive, effectively ensuring victories for the dominant party in the state.
• Demographic Changes: Texas's rapidly changing demographics, especially in urban and suburban areas like Dallas and Fort Worth, may render the new maps outdated, potentially disadvantaging Republicans in future elections.

Democrats' Counter Strategies

The discussion shifts to how Democrats are responding to the GOP's aggressive redistricting tactics. Domenico Montanaro observes a generational split within the Democratic Party, where younger Democrats push for more assertive strategies akin to Republican gerrymandering to regain control of the House (09:07).

Notable Quotes:

• Domenico Montanaro: "You have younger operatives who are not interested in doing that anymore [operating within norms]. They want to utilize any and all levers at their disposal to compete." (09:56)
• Hakeem Jeffries: "Donald Trump has ordered Texas Republicans to try to produce five additional seats. In doing so, they will jeopardize their own electoral careers." (10:07)

Key Points:

• Adoption of Gerrymandering Tactics: Democrats are considering similar map-drawing strategies to counteract Republican advantages, as seen with Governor Gavin Newsom of California contemplating bypassing nonpartisan commissions.
• Legislative Proposals: Democratic Representative Mark Vesey of Texas has introduced a bill to limit congressional redistricting to once a decade unless a map is deemed illegal by the courts.

Broader National Redistricting Landscape

Hansi Le Wang provides an overview of ongoing redistricting lawsuits in several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin, and Ohio. These legal battles could necessitate new maps before the midterm elections, potentially altering the balance of power in the House.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court's Role: The conservative majority in the Supreme Court has signaled openness to revisiting and potentially weakening the Voting Rights Act, affecting redistricting regulations.
• State Variations: Different states have varying laws and political climates influencing how redistricting unfolds, leading to a patchwork of policies across the nation.

Notable Quotes:

• Hansi Le Wang: "This is the first redistricting cycle since the Supreme Court struck down key protections under the Voting Rights Act," highlighting the shift in the legal framework governing redistricting (05:54).

Impact on Voters and Democracy

The hosts discuss the broader implications of frequent redistricting on democratic processes. Hansi Le Wang emphasizes that "this is the process that before you even get your hands on a ballot that can determine the power of your vote" (12:38). Constantly changing district boundaries can dilute voter influence and hinder accountability.

Key Points:

• Voter Accountability: Less competitive districts may lead to incumbents facing fewer challenges, reducing the effectiveness of elections as a tool for voter expression.
• Legislative Efforts: Efforts like Representative Vesey's bill aim to create more stability in district maps, ensuring that boundaries are not manipulated for short-term political gains.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a recognition of the high stakes involved in redistricting, both for Texas and nationally. As political parties navigate legal and legislative avenues to influence district boundaries, the outcome of these efforts will significantly shape the future of the U.S. House of Representatives. The hosts underscore the importance of voter awareness and engagement in the redistricting process to safeguard democratic principles.

Final Quotes:

• Hansi Le Wang: "The reality of US Democracy today is that some states... ensure a win for a political party," urging voters to stay informed and involved in the redistricting discourse (12:52).
• Sarah McCammon: "Lots of things to watch there. We'll leave it there for today," signaling the ongoing and evolving nature of the redistricting battle (13:48).

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This episode of The NPR Politics Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts, situating them within the larger national context and exploring the legal, political, and democratic ramifications. Through expert insights and critical discussions, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how redistricting could influence the balance of power in the upcoming midterm elections and beyond.

Transcript

[Catherine Marr]

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[Emily]

Hi, this is Emily from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I'm currently sitting in standstill rush hour traffic. You're listening to the NPR Politics Podcast.

[Sarah McCammon]

This podcast was recorded at 1:41pm Eastern Time on Monday, July 21, 2025.

[Emily]

Things may have changed by the time you hear this, but I'll probably still be sitting in traffic because everybody knows that in Minnesota there are only two seasons, construction season and winter. Enjoy the show.

[Sarah McCammon]

There's definitely winner.

[Domenico Montanaro]

I feel her pain, man. I cannot stand sitting in traffic. It's terrible. But at least we are there for you.

[Sarah McCammon]

It's a fact of life everywhere, isn't it? Even in the Midwest. Hey there. It's the NPR Politics podcast. I'm Sarah McCammon. I cover politics.

[Hansi Le Wang]

I'm Hansi Le Wang. I cover redistricting.

[Domenico Montanaro]

And I'm Domenico Matanaro, senior political editor and correspondent.

[Sarah McCammon]

Today on the show, several states could get new congressional districts before next year's midterm elections, and that could end up determining which party controls the US House going forward. Hansi, we're going to start with Texas, where state lawmakers are meeting for a special session. There, the agenda includes redistricting. Why does the Republican governor, Greg Abbott, want lawmakers to redraw their state's congressional map?

[Hansi Le Wang]

The short answer is Republicans in Texas are playing pure hard politics. They control the governor's office. They control the state legislature. So they control map drawing. And that is usually a once a decade process that happens right after census results come out. But this month, you have the Republican Party of Texas putting out a statement that says doing another round of redistricting now five years before the next census is, quote, an essential step to preserving GOP control in Congress. And going back to your question, the longer answer here is that Governor Abbott says he received a letter this month from a Trump appointee of the Justice Department making claims about four of Texas's 38 districts that Republican lawmakers drew back in 2021.

[Sarah McCammon]

So wait, he's openly saying that there's a partisan objective here?

[Hansi Le Wang]

You had the Republican Party of Texas saying that.

[Sarah McCammon]

So Abbott says there are these four districts where there's an issue. I mean, what is the concern here.

[Hansi Le Wang]

Hansi, you know, this is from again, concerns raised by this letter that a lot of legal experts are skeptical of. They claim that these four districts violate the Constitution because they are allegedly racially gerrymandered. Really? This letter is echoing arguments that Republicans in other states have been trying to make at the Supreme Court to get key remaining parts of the Voting Rights act struck down. I'm talking about protections against racial discrimination and redistricting, protections against maps drawn in ways that would weaken the collective power of minority voters in areas where voting is racially polarized and would prevent minority voters from electing their preferred candidate. But putting all that aside, the bottom line here is that Texas Republicans do not need a legal justification to re redistrict for Congress right now in the middle of the decade. They've done it before, after the 2000 census. And now you have President Trump also saying he wants a new map for Texas, that he thinks he can get Republicans five more House seats.

[Domenico Montanaro]

You know, the Constitution gives state legislatures the right to be able to redraw districts throughout the country. And the Supreme Court has said that partisan gerrymandering done exclusively based on, you know, whether or not a district's too Democratic or too Republican or not enough one way or the other. That is perfectly legal. What is not legal is racial gerrymandering. When you say, I'm going to put African Americans in this one district, and I'm going to take this other ethnic group and put them here, that is not the way they're supposed to look at it. Of course. It's a very fine line when you start digging deeply into the fact that some racial groups, like black voters, overwhelmingly lean Democratic. So you can certainly racially gerrymander in practice while saying that it's something that you're doing for partisan purposes.

[Sarah McCammon]

And it can be hard to determine where is that line? Is this a racial gerrymander? Is this a partisan gerrymander or some combination of the two? I mean, Hansi, we've said Texas isn't the only state that could get new districts in the coming months. There are lawsuits in a handful of other states that could lead to new maps as well. You mentioned that this is something that happens after every census. Redistricting. But why are we seeing all these efforts now?

[Hansi Le Wang]

You know, it's not unusual for some congressional maps to get caught up in lawsuits that drag on for years. And this decade, there are different types of legal issues involved in the various lawsuits. I'm tracking five cases over congressional maps in the South, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, north, and South Carolina. And there are cases in Utah and Wisconsin. And depending on what courts decide in their timing, those states may or may not have to draw new maps before the midterm election next year. I should note also Ohio has to draw a new map because of a state law. But what is notable this decade is that this is the first redistricting cycle since the Supreme Court struck down key protections under the Voting Rights act back in 2013 that would have required certain states with a history of racial discrimination to get their maps approved by the Justice Department or federal court, a preclearance program that has effectively been dismantled by the Supreme Court's conservative majority and that has unleashed some state lawmakers to try to draw and redraw maps in ways that courts in the past may not have allowed.

[Domenico Montanaro]

And let's be real here. I mean, this is about trying to get control of the House. I mean, there is such a narrow margin right now that one seat here or there can really make a big difference, which is why this is so important and why we're starting to see Democrats say that, that they need to be doing this in their states.

[Sarah McCammon]

How are Democrats fighting back?

[Domenico Montanaro]

What happened was back in 2006, Republicans wound up getting crushed in those midterm elections because of the Iraq war, because of some ethics issues. And they were able to win a ton of state legislative seats and then win over unified control of a lot of legislatures. Meanwhile, on the other side, you had this movement among a lot of Democrats to come up with independent groups, commissions to try to draw states more evenly. But given that that had happened, Republicans were able to win over a whole lot more seats than Democrats were able to do. And now we have a sort of going back to a little bit of a ground zero where now you have Democrats saying in many states that they want to be able to more gerrymander in their districts to try to win back the House. I mean, place like California. California Governor Gavin Newsom said that he's potentially thinking about doing that, which would go around a commission that they had to do this in a nonpartisan way.

[Sarah McCammon]

Yeah. So a bit of a shift there for Democrats. I want to talk more about that in a moment. But first we're going to take a quick break. We'll be back.

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[Sarah McCammon]

Domenico, you were talking about what feels like kind of a shift for Democrats who seem to be kind of trying to play the same game with gerrymandering that Republicans have played for a long time. Why?

[Domenico Montanaro]

I think that there's a split in the Democratic Party, and it's not between progressives and moderates. It's between moderation and fighting, you know, moderation and pugilism, if you will. Because in this era of Trump, I think there's a lot of Democrats, especially younger Democrats, who feel like the older generation has gotten steamrolled by trying to operate within the, quote, unquote norms, and they kind of roll their eyes at this idea that, oh, it would be hypocritical to try to do this or it'd be the wrong thing. A lot of, you know, younger operatives or even people who are just looking at the situation with Trump and all of the things that Trump's allies are willing to do that they feel like they'd be fighting with their hands tied behind their back, and they're not interested in doing that anymore. And to be able to win, they want to be able to utilize any and all of the levers at their disposal to be able to try to compete.

[Sarah McCammon]

So last week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, somebody who of course has a lot of stake in Democrats picking up seats in the House, had this warning for Republicans about Texas's redistricting effort.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

Donald Trump has ordered Texas Republicans to try to produce five additional seats. In doing so, they will jeopardize their own electoral careers.

[Sarah McCammon]

He says they'll jeopardize their own careers. I mean, what's, what's the argument there?

[Hansi Le Wang]

You know, there is a risk here of Republicans in Texas overreaching because map makers in this special session may be making some out of date assumptions about where voters are in Texas and how they vote. This new map is going to be based on census data from five years ago. And that is a long time for a state that's changing demographically as much as Texas is.

[Domenico Montanaro]

Yeah, I mean, imagine a district that you draw to protect an incumbent, and it's like 58% conservative, 42% Democratic. And then now, in order to get another couple of seats, potentially you make it a district that's maybe 5347 or 5248. Well, in a wave year, all of those seats could potentially drop the other direction. And that would be a big problem and really backfire on Republicans if that were to happen. And as Hansi says, Texas is one of those states that continues to grow, especially in the Dallas, Fort Worth area, where you're seeing just a tremendous growth in population and frankly, a lot more Democrats that are there in the suburbs.

[Sarah McCammon]

You know, Hansi, lawsuits seem to be a common response to new maps. Is it likely that the redrawn Texas map will also end up in litigation?

[Hansi Le Wang]

Yes, it's something I'm watching for. There are questions about whether this new map that Republicans in Texas want to pass would potentially violate the Voting Rights Act. And at the Supreme Court, you have conservative justices signaling they're open to revisiting past court rulings on the Voting Rights act, potentially further weakening that landmark law by striking down long standing redistricting requirements. So that is the legal environment this map making is going into.

[Domenico Montanaro]

And it's really critical for the fact that we are, you know, a year and a half away from the next midterm elections. Any of those legal cases are going to make their way through the courts and are going to take some time. And we're going to see those fights probably come down to the wire in some respects in some places. And I wonder if it's going to stiffen some Democrats spines. Where in states like Illinois or New York, California, New Jersey, Minnesota, Washington state, for example, if there are going to be concerted efforts to try to do this in reverse.

[Sarah McCammon]

And Hansi, you cover voting as you're covering these redistricting fights. What are you going to be watching for, Sarah?

[Hansi Le Wang]

You know, I think redistricting can get very technical and complicated very quickly, and easy to tune out. And when you're talking about re redistricting like we have been, I mean, what a mess of a word and a concept.

[Sarah McCammon]

But it's hard to even say.

[Hansi Le Wang]

It is hard to even say re redistricting. But the takeaway here, I think, for voters is that this is the process that before you even get your hands on a ballot that can determine the power of your vote. And the reality of US Democracy today is that some states, like Domenico said, allow voting districts to be drawn in ways that make elections less competitive and essentially ensure a win for a political party. There are efforts for more state laws that ban favoring a political party in map drawing. There's also a bill introduced this month in Congress by Democratic Representative Mark Vesey of Texas that will limit congressional redistricting to once a decade unless the court finds a map to be illegal. But right now, it's a patchwork of policies. And if you're in a state where one party is tweaking the districts multiple times in a decade, it becomes that much harder for you, the voter, to hold elected officials accountable because you may not be able to vote them out.

[Domenico Montanaro]

Yeah.

[Sarah McCammon]

Lots of things to watch there. We'll leave it there for today. I'm Sarah McCammon. I cover politics.

[Hansi Le Wang]

I'm Hansi Lawang. I cover redistricting.

[Domenico Montanaro]

And I'm Domenico Montanaro, senior political editor and correspondent.

[Sarah McCammon]

And thank you for listening to the NPR Politics podcast.

[N/A]

This summer on Planet Money Summer School, we're learning about political economy. We're getting into the nitty gritty of what government does with things like trade, taxes, immigration and health care.

[Hansi Le Wang]

So politics and economics, which are taught separately, they shouldn't be separated at all. I think you have to understand one.

[Domenico Montanaro]

To really appreciate the other.

[N/A]

So what is the right amount of government in our lives? Tune into Planet Money Summer School from npr. Wherever you get your podcasts at Planet.

[Hansi Le Wang]

Money, we know that economic jargon can sometimes feel like speaking another language.

[Emily]

Yeah, like arbitrage, alpha, otarchy.

[Hansi Le Wang]

That's just what's in the news these days. There's also absolute advantage, aggregate demand, aggregate supply.

[Emily]

And this is just the A's.

[Hansi Le Wang]

Oh, animal spirits.

[Emily]

That's a pretty good one. Planet Money from npr. We help you translate the economy so you can understand the world. Wherever you get your podcasts, you're listening.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

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