The Republican-controlled Texas Senate approved SB 4, a congressional redistricting plan mirroring the House map written by Rep. Todd Hunter, in a 19-2 vote late Tuesday. Nine Democratic senators left the chamber moments before the vote, but the walkout failed to break quorum, allowing the measure to advance with only two Democrats recorded in opposition. The bill is designed to expand Republican representation in the state’s U.S. House delegation, with party leaders saying it could net the GOP as many as five to ten additional seats. Passage came during the final week of a special session already marked by Democratic absences; members of the minority party had spent 12 days off the Senate floor in an earlier bid to delay action. Republican officials are weighing punitive steps against lawmakers who continue to flee debates, including stripping committee posts, withholding legislative resources and seeking to vacate seats. The legislation now heads to final procedural steps before it can be sent to Governor Greg Abbott, who has signaled support.