Former President Barack Obama on 14 August held a virtual call with Texas House Democrats who left the state last month to prevent Republicans from passing a new congressional map viewed as favouring the GOP. Obama praised the lawmakers’ decision to break quorum, calling their action part of a broader defence against what he described as a “systematic assault on democracy.” Obama was joined on the call by former attorney general Eric Holder, now chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, who briefed the legislators on the group’s plans to challenge Republican-led map-drawing efforts in other states ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections. Holder and Obama will highlight the issue again at an NDRC fundraiser on 19 August in Martha’s Vineyard. Texas Democrats decamped to Illinois in July, denying the state House the two-thirds attendance required to advance the redistricting bill. Caucus chair Rep. Gene Wu said the members could return if the legislature’s first special session adjourns on 15 August and if California Democrats formally introduce a rival redistricting proposal. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday moved to place new congressional maps on California’s November 4 ballot, framing it as a direct response to the Texas plan.