Texas House Panel Approves Redistricting Map Favoring Republicans

A committee in the Texas State House, controlled by Republicans, has approved a new congressional map. This map is designed to shift five Democratic-held House seats to Republican control. The decision followed a lengthy hearing where most public testimony opposed the changes, with critics, including Democratic members of Congress, arguing it would dilute the voting power of Black and Hispanic communities and potentially violate the Voting Rights Act. The proposed map impacts districts in major Texas cities and along the U.S.-Mexico border, and is expected to lead to a significant political battle.