The Texas House approved a sweeping new congressional redistricting plan on Wednesday. Republicans call it “One Big Beautiful Map.” In an 88–52 party-line vote, lawmakers passed House Bill 4, a plan designed to strengthen GOP control and deliver up to five additional congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Governor Greg Abbott praised the win on X. “Congrats to the Texas House on passing the One Big Beautiful Map. It will make Texas, and Congress, a brighter shade of Red.”
House Speaker Dustin Burrows said, “The Texas House today delivered legislation to redistrict certain congressional districts to address concerns raised by the Department of Justice and ensure fairness and accuracy in Texans’ representation in Congress… This work has helped us deliver the legal, remedied maps Texas voters deserve.”
Rep. Tony Tinderholt framed the outcome more bluntly: “Democrats broke quorum to try and stop us—but they FAILED. Texas now has a big, beautiful map, legally adding 5 more Republican seats.”
Democrats broke quorum to try and stop us—but they FAILED. Texas now has a big, beautiful map, legally adding 5 more Republican seats. A huge win for all Republicans! #txlege pic.twitter.com/RhXvL0L191
— Rep. Tony Tinderholt (@reptinderholt) August 20, 2025
The Map Democrats Couldn’t Stop
The new map redraws districts in Dallas, Houston, and other fast-growing areas. Republicans say it ensures fairness, accuracy, and compliance with federal requirements. Democrats tried to delay or derail the measure with a dozen amendments, including one pushing implementation to 2028 and another tying it to an independent redistricting commission. One amendment even attempted to block the map until the federal government released unrelated files about Jeffrey Epstein. All were defeated. (RELATED NEWS: Texas Dems Flee to Stop Redistricting Map)
Republicans stayed united, rejecting every amendment and moving HB 4 to a quick vote. Conservatives say the map will “ungerrymander the gerrymandered” and help secure a stronger GOP majority in Washington.
The Walkout That Backfired
The vote followed the dramatic return of Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas two weeks earlier to block the bill. More than 50 Democrats traveled to Chicago to deny the House a quorum, halting business in Austin. Their absence drew national headlines, but the tactic failed.
During the standoff, Speaker Burrows issued arrest warrants for absent members. He warned that Democrats who came back would only be allowed to leave the chamber under strict conditions, including release into the custody of Department of Public Safety officers who would ensure their return. Rep. Nicole Collier refused to sign the required permission slip and camped out in the chamber instead of going home.
The walkout also carried financial costs. Democrats faced $500 fines for each missed day and had their pay withheld. By the time they returned, pressure from penalties and threats of arrest forced them back into the chamber, where Republicans swiftly advanced the map.
Governor Abbott is now calling for added penalties and punishments for legislators who willfully leave during a session.
Will they face prosecution? Attorney General Ken Paxton says, “We made that argument about 13 of the legislators… and we will be in front of the Texas Supreme Court.”
WILL TX DEMS WHO FLED THE REDISTRICTING FIGHT FACE PROSECTUION?@KenPaxtonTX: “We made that argument about 13 of the legislators… and we will be in front of the Texas Supreme Court.” pic.twitter.com/Q2ymO9b6tz
— The Will Cain Show (@WillCainShow_) August 20, 2025
Democrats Spin, Republicans Deliver
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu tried to cast the quorum break as a success, claiming it “rallied Democrats nationwide” and “reshaped the 2026 landscape.” But Republicans say the numbers tell the real story: Democrats delayed the inevitable and returned to pass the very map they tried to block.
Conservatives frame the episode as proof of GOP discipline. Democrats relied on theatrics, while Republicans held the line, complied with legal requirements, and delivered results.
What’s Next
The bill still needs a vote from the full Texas Senate, but it is expected to pass overwhelmingly.
Democrats will undoubtedly challenge the map in court, claiming it discriminates against minority voters. Republicans say HB 4 is constitutional, remedies DOJ concerns, and will stand up to scrutiny. (MORE NEWS: Phone Scrolling: The Top 10 States and Hidden Costs)
For conservatives, the fight was about more than lines on a map. It also showed how far Democrats will go to block legislation. In the end, Republicans prevailed.
For Republicans, the “One Big Beautiful Map” is a win and a promise of more victories to come.
Expose the Spin. Shatter the Narrative. Speak the Truth.
At The Modern Memo, we don’t cover politics to play referee — we swing a machete through the spin, the double-speak, and the partisan theater.
While the media protects the powerful and buries the backlash, we dig it up and drag it into the light.
If you’re tired of rigged narratives, selective outrage, and leaders who serve themselves, not you — then share this.
Expose the corruption. Challenge the agenda.
Because if we don’t fight for the truth, no one will. And that fight starts with you.
