Texas Democrats return to state, clearing way for new congressional maps

GOP hopes to pass new maps pushed by Trump that could net them five seats.

The Texas House of Representatives reached a quorum on Monday after Democrats returned to Austin ending a two-week standoff with Republicans over proposed congressional maps, potentially clearing the way for Republicans to approve changes that could net Republicans as many as five new House seats next year.

The Democrats did not confirm any specific action they plan to take on or off the House floor, but they say that they are going to build a "legal case against the discriminatory map". The new maps are widely expected to be hit by lawsuits if they pass the legislature.

"We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation -- reshaping the entire 2026 landscape," Democratic Caucus chair state Rep. Gene Wu said in a statement. "We're returning to Texas more dangerous to Republicans' plans than when we left."

At least one House Democrat, state Rep. Aicha Davis, said in a statement Monday she will not be one of the Democrats who would help restore a quorum on the House floor.

"I made a commitment to my district that I would fight until the end to keep our representation intact and I'm staying true to my word," Davis said in a statement.

After the Texas state legislature began a second special legislative session on Friday and failed still to meet quorum, Republican legislators are expected to try for a quorum Monday and then to work to advance the new maps, which will have to once again pass through the House's redistricting committee and procedural votes.

Separately, in California, days after Gov. Gavin Newsom formally announced plans to get new congressional maps to go before voters in November in a counter to Texas, the state legislature will convene on Monday from recess and is set to rapidly work on passing legislation to get the maps on the ballot. Republicans and anti-gerrymandering advocates plan to protest and to call out what they say is an unfair process.

Democratic governors in Illinois and New York have also threatened to respond to Texas in kind and a bill in Maryland's Democrat-controlled state House would force the state to change its map if another state proposed a new map mid-decade. Republican-controlled Florida and Missouri are also reportedly considering redistricting before the midterms.

The Trump administration has invited Indiana Republicans to the White House next week to hear from senior officials and Cabinet secretaries how they can partner with the administration to support Trump's agenda, according to an invitation reviewed by ABC News. A source with knowledge of the event told ABC News that it's expected that redistricting will be discussed as the White House ramps up pressure on Indiana state lawmakers to redraw congressional districts ahead of next year's midterms.

Vice President JD Vance traveled to Indiana earlier this month to discuss redistricting with lawmakers at the state capitol.

ABC News' Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.