Texas Democrats have left the state in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas House Democrats are leaving the state to deny quorum, marking the second time in four years. They say the move is intended to block legislative action they oppose and respond to what they describe as inaction by Gov.

Either way, the fundamentally balanced House map is the backdrop to the new Texas map. While a few more Republican seats will certainly help the G.O.P., it will take more to give Republicans a major structural advantage in the fight for the House.