politics

Hakeem Jeffries to Meet Texas Democrats Amid Redistricting Battle

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will meet privately with Texas lawmakers to strategize against GOP-led redistricting efforts during a special legislative session.

Published July 29, 2025 at 7:32pm

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will be in Austin Wednesday to meet privately with Democratic members of the Legislature to discuss strategies to derail or delay Republicans' push to redraw the state's congressional map. The visit comes during a special session called by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, with redistricting being the most contentious issue. Republicans aim to replace the current map enacted in 2021 and expand their 25-11 majority in the U.S. House.

An email obtained by Hearst Newspapers asked Democratic lawmakers to keep their schedules open from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a closed-door meeting with Jeffries, though the location was not disclosed. Redistricting, typically done every decade based on census data, has drawn attention as former President Donald Trump urges Texas to create a map favoring up to five additional GOP seats by the 2026 midterms.

Republicans currently hold 219 U.S. House seats. Losing just two in the next election could flip control to Democrats, positioning Jeffries for speaker. Texas Democrats, outnumbered in the Legislature, have few options to block redistricting. One tactic—denying quorum by not attending sessions—risks fines up to $500 per day or expulsion under rules tightened after the 2021 walkout.

Despite these risks, some Democrats, including state Reps. Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico, have vowed to break quorum if necessary. At a recent rally, Talarico stated, "We're going to use whatever tools in our toolbox we have to stop this from happening." Hinojosa, drawing loud cheers, declared, "Yes, I am willing to break quorum and leave the state. It's time, Texas, to fight again. Fortune favors the bold, the brave and the bad-assed."

National Democrats are also mobilizing. The New York Times reported a super PAC plans to raise $20 million to target Texas Republicans in Congress, particularly those in vulnerable districts under new maps. The campaign launched with four ads accusing U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Lance Gooden, Beth Van Duyne, and Monica De La Cruz of opposing Medicaid.

While legislative committees have held redistricting hearings, no proposed maps have been submitted. State Sen. Phil King, chair of the Senate redistricting panel, asserted the 2021 map is legal but noted, "That doesn't mean that we don't have the right to take up redistricting if we choose to do so."