Texas lawmakers on Wednesday approved new congressional maps designed to give Republicans up to five additional US House seats in the 2026 midterm elections, advancing a redistricting effort backed by President Donald Trump.

The Republican-controlled House voted 88-52 along party lines to pass the contentious new electoral map measure that Democratic representative Chris Turner called a "clear violation of the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution," according to media reports.

The maps must now be approved by the GOP-controlled state Senate and signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott before becoming law, though both steps are widely seen as formalities.

Republicans, including Trump, have openly acknowledged that the map’s goal is to expand their political advantage and grip on power.

"The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward: improve Republican political performance," Texas map's sponsor, Republican Todd Hunter, said.

The redistricting would give Republicans five more winnable seats.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of redrawing districts to benefit one party and long used by both Democrats and Republicans.

The US Supreme Court has allowed partisan gerrymandering but prohibits maps that discriminate based on race or ethnicity, which violates the federal Voting Rights Act.

Redistricting is typically done every 10 years to reflect population changes, but "can be done at any point in time," argued Hunter, referring to the rare mid-decade redrawing.

Republicans, aiming to redraw at least 10 new seats, are targeting Ohio, Missouri, New Hampshire, Indiana, South Carolina and Florida.

On Monday, Trump posted the proposed map of Texas on Truth Social platform, calling it "one of the most popular initiatives I have ever supported."

Democrats tried to delay proceedings

Texas Democrats delayed the vote for two weeks by leaving the state, then were placed under 24-hour police surveillance to ensure their attendance at Wednesday's session.

They denounced the map as a violation of the Voting Rights Act and labeled it a "racial gerrymander," arguing it dilutes minority voting power.

On Wednesday, Democrats tried to delay proceedings with procedural maneuvers and lengthy speeches, but to no avail.

Democratic State Representative John H.Bucy called the bill "Donald Trump's map."

"It clearly and deliberately manufactures five more Republican seats in Congress because Trump himself knows that the voters are rejecting his agenda," he said.

Newsom promises California retaliation

The Texas move has already triggered retaliation in California, where Democrats are advancing a ballot measure to add new Democratic-leaning districts.

"Yes, we'll fight fire with fire. Yes, we will push back. It's not about whether we play hardball anymore, it's about how we play hardball," Governor Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday.

New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul said the Texas redistricting plan amounts to "legal insurrection," signaling a possible similar move in her state.

Even former President Barack Obama weighed in in on the issue, calling Newsom's bid to redraw the California map a necessary step to counter the GOP's Texas move. "I think that approach is a smart, measured approach."

Edited by: Louis Oelofse