Texas GOP unveils new planned congressional map

Texas Republicans unveiled a proposal for new congressional maps Wednesday as a redistricting battle heats up across the country. 

The maps are expected to create five new House seats that President Trump won by double digits in November. Trump had pressed Lone Star State Republicans to redraw the lines to protect the party’s narrow 219-212 House majority in next year’s midterms. 

State Rep. Todd Hunter (R) filed the proposal as Texas lawmakers met for a special session. 

The maps could endanger Democrats’ efforts to take back the lower chamber next year. In response to the moves in Texas, Democrats in California and other blue states have floated their own redistricting possibilities, heating up a redistricting war ahead of the midterms.  

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