Texas’ Republican-led legislature gave initial approval to a controversial new electoral map on Wednesday, a redistricting move designed to give the GOP an additional five seats in the U.S.

Facing opposition from Democrats who fled the state to stall the vote, Republicans hope the new maps will lead to more seats in Congress.

Texas Republicans Wednesday were poised to pass a controversial redistricting plan ordered by President Donald Trump to flip five Democratic seats in the 2026 midterm elections. After Democrats ended a headline-grabbing bid to block the GOP move,