JUST IN: Dems’ Chances Of Winning The House Officially Hit Rock Bottom

Democrats were saddled with an albatross on Friday as Republicans capitalized on newly redrawn congressional districts in Texas.

With a swipe of his pen, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a new redistricting map for the Lone Star State that adds five strongly-leaning GOP seats to its delegation. The move is expected to eliminate five Democrats, some of whom said they would not run for reelection if the measure passed.

A stalemate between state lawmakers dragged on for more than a month as Democrats fled the state in a desperate bid to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass the bill, the second redistricting since the 2020 census. After several weeks on the road, many returned home exhausted and penniless, having rented hotels or second homes, claiming to have made their point.

Under the new plan, Texas will likely send 30 Republicans and eight Democrats to Washington, D.C., upending a delegation currently comprised of 25 Republicans, 12 Democrats, and one vacant seat.

“The one, big beautiful map … ensures fairer representation in the United States Congress for Texans,” Abbott said in a video posted on X.

“Texas is now more red in the United States Congress.”

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Democrats immediately howled racism, accusing Abbott and the Texas GOP of disenfranchising black and Latino voters.

“With a stroke of the pen, Greg Abbott and the Republicans have effectively surrendered Texas to Washington, D.C.,” Texas Democrats wrote in a statement. “They love to boast about how ‘Texas Tough’ they are, but when Donald Trump made one call, they bent over backwards to prioritize his politics over Texans. Honestly, it’s pathetic.”

A court finding could keep the map up in the air for months as progressive groups attempt to explore every avenue to challenge the new maps, Axios reported. Texas Republicans have pointed to U.S. Supreme Court precedent, arguing that partisan gerrymandering is not a constitutional issue, but rather a political one.

Among the new law’s victims is Democratic Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a member of the “Squad.” Other Democratic gadflies like Rep. Al Green (D-TX), the 77-year-old lawmaker who was thrown out of the chamber during President Trump’s speech in March, are also at risk

Other Democratic House members in the danger zone appear to be Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) of the Rio Grande Valley, Julie Johnson (D-TX) of the Dallas metro area, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), whose district is anchored by Austin.