Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he will convene another special legislative session after Democrats left the state to deny a quorum, blocking a vote on a new congressional map that would strengthen Republican control. Abbott told former House Speaker Newt Gingrich that he will keep calling sessions until lawmakers return, and he is weighing penalties for the absent Democrats. The stalled map, backed by former President Donald Trump, aims to flip as many as five U.S. House seats. Democrats warn the plan could force incumbent-versus-incumbent contests, and Representative Joaquin Castro praised the walkout as a stand against what he called an illegal power grab. Litigation is expected once the Legislature acts. Conservative activists are pressing Republican-run states to match Democratic redistricting efforts elsewhere. Steve Bannon urged Texas to secure nine additional seats and said California Governor Gavin Newsom is moving to lock down all 52 of his state’s districts for Democrats. Charlie Kirk threatened to fund primary challenges against Indiana lawmakers who resist adopting more aggressive Republican maps. With the GOP holding only a narrow House majority, traders on prediction market PredictIt are debating how the nationwide redistricting battles will reshape the 2026 midterms. Voting-rights groups say the escalating partisan map-making underscores the need for stronger federal standards, while both parties prepare for a wave of court challenges.