Former President Donald Trump on 5 Aug. publicly declared that Texas is “entitled to five more” U.S. House seats and pressed state Republicans to redraw the congressional map immediately rather than wait for the next census cycle. The proposed mid-decade plan would convert five Democratic districts into Republican-leaning ones, strengthening the GOP’s position in the state’s 38-seat delegation ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic lawmakers in the Texas House responded by leaving the state on 3 Aug., depriving the chamber of a quorum and halting consideration of the new map. The walkout—now in its second week—has prevented three consecutive floor sessions. House Speaker Dustin Burrows has suspended the absent members’ pay, and the chamber has authorized fines of $500 per day until they return. Governor Greg Abbott escalated the confrontation on 5 Aug. with an emergency petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to remove Democratic caucus chair Gene Wu for “abandonment of office.” Abbott also directed state police to assist in executing civil arrest warrants for the lawmakers, moves Wu dismissed as political theater. The standoff is fueling a nationwide redistricting arms race. California’s Gavin Newsom and New York’s Kathy Hochul have threatened to redraw their own maps if Texas proceeds, while Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has welcomed the Texas Democrats who fled to his state. In Florida, House Speaker Daniel Perez has created a new committee in anticipation of a mid-cycle remap after Trump called for a fresh census that would omit undocumented immigrants. Control of the U.S. House hinges on the outcome. Republicans hold a narrow 219-212 majority, and flipping five Texas seats could help the party preserve power in 2026. Election-law scholars say the open advocacy of mid-cycle gerrymanders by a former president is unprecedented and could invite a wave of copy-cat efforts unless Congress or the courts intervene.