Photos from the Texas Legislature as Republicans push for new political maps

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Photos from the Texas Legislature as Republicans push for new political maps

2025-08-23 15:17 Last Updated At：15:31

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas House of Representatives, led by Republicans, approved a redrawn congressional map that could give the GOP up to five new seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms. After a two-week walkout that stalled the vote on a new political map, Democrats returned to the Texas Capitol. The plan now heads to the state Senate and Gov. Greg Abbott for final approval.

Read more about redistricting debates in Texas, California.

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A Texas troopers passes the Texas Seal on the Rotunda of the Texas Capitol before debate on a bill for a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Howard Langer watches debate over a bill to approve a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to lawmakers during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, right, questions Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, during debate over a bill before a vote on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state senators pray before they debate a bill on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

House Bill 4, changing the U.S. congressional map in Texas, passes during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houson, sits through debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez votes on a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is surrounded by fellow Republicans as he faces off with Democrats during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas troopers watch from the balcony as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas trooper watches over protesters gathered outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, front right, answers questions during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional maps in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state lawmakers vote on an amendment during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Plesa's ripped up 'permission slip' is seen outside the House Chamber after she and other democrats joined fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, right, looks at a protester dressed as death standing outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Mihaela Plesa, center, and Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, right, tear up their 'permission slips' outside of the House Chamber as they plan to join fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sam Parker wears a "Handmaid's Tale" outfit as she stands outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas state trooper engages with a protester over noise volume outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Supporters for the returning Texas democrats chant as members enter the house at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Lynn Tozser, top, shows her support for the returning Texas democrats at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, left, shows members of the media his permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Toni Rose shows her permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, left, waves past Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, right, to supporters outside of the House Chamber where she refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters chant outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

More Images

A Texas troopers passes the Texas Seal on the Rotunda of the Texas Capitol before debate on a bill for a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Howard Langer watches debate over a bill to approve a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to lawmakers during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, right, questions Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, during debate over a bill before a vote on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state senators pray before they debate a bill on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

House Bill 4, changing the U.S. congressional map in Texas, passes during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houson, sits through debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez votes on a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is surrounded by fellow Republicans as he faces off with Democrats during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas troopers watch from the balcony as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas trooper watches over protesters gathered outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, front right, answers questions during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional maps in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state lawmakers vote on an amendment during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Plesa's ripped up 'permission slip' is seen outside the House Chamber after she and other democrats joined fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, right, looks at a protester dressed as death standing outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Mihaela Plesa, center, and Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, right, tear up their 'permission slips' outside of the House Chamber as they plan to join fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sam Parker wears a "Handmaid's Tale" outfit as she stands outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas state trooper engages with a protester over noise volume outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Supporters for the returning Texas democrats chant as members enter the house at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Lynn Tozser, top, shows her support for the returning Texas democrats at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, left, shows members of the media his permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Toni Rose shows her permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, left, waves past Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, right, to supporters outside of the House Chamber where she refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters chant outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Alaska woman appeals voter fraud charges in case that puts spotlight on status of American Samoans

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A state appeals court is being asked to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against an Alaska resident born in American Samoa, one of numerous cases that have drawn attention to the complex citizenship status of people born in the U.S. territory.

In arguments Thursday, attorneys for Tupe Smith plan to ask the Alaska Court of Appeals in Anchorage to reverse a lower court's decision that let stand the indictment brought against her. Her supporters say she made an innocent mistake that does not merit charges, but the state contends Smith falsely and deliberately claimed citizenship.

Prosecutors also have brought charges against 10 other people from American Samoa in the small Alaska community of Whittier, including Smith’s husband and her mother-in-law. American Samoa is the only U.S. territory where residents are not automatically granted citizenship by being born on American soil and instead are considered U.S. nationals. Paths to citizenship exist, such as naturalization, though that process can be expensive and cumbersome.

American Samoans can serve in the military, obtain U.S. passports and vote in elections in American Samoa, but they cannot hold public office in the U.S. or participate in most U.S. elections.

About 25 people gathered on a snowy street outside the courthouse before Thursday's hearing to support Smith. One woman, Fran Seager of Palmer, held a sign that said, “Support our Samoans. They are US nationals.”

Smith's husband, Michael Pese, thanked the American Samoa community in the Anchorage area. “If it wasn’t for you guys, I wouldn’t be strong enough to face this head on,” he said.

State Sen. Forrest Dunbar, a Democrat who attended the rally, said the Alaska Department of Law has limited resources.

“We should be going after people who are genuine criminals, who are violent criminals, or at least have the intent to deceive,” he said. “I do not think it is a good use of our limited state resources to go after these hardworking, taxpaying Alaskans who are not criminals.”

Smith was arrested after winning election to a regional school board in 2023. She said she relied on erroneous information from local election officials when she identified herself as a U.S. citizen on voter registration forms.

In a court filing in 2024, one of her previous attorneys said that when Smith answered questions from the Alaska state trooper who arrested her, she said she was aware that she could not vote in presidential elections but was “unaware of any other restrictions on her ability to vote.”

Smith said she marks herself as a U.S. national on paperwork. But when there was no such option on voter registration forms, she was told by city representatives that it was appropriate to mark U.S. citizen, according to the filing.

Smith “exercised what she believed was her right to vote in a local election. She did so without any intent to mislead or deceive anyone,” her current attorneys said in a filing in September. “Her belief that U.S. nationals may vote in local elections, which was supported by advice from City of Whittier election officials, was simply mistaken.”

The state has said Smith falsely and deliberately claimed citizenship. Prosecutors pointed to the language on the voter application forms she filled out in 2020 and 2022, which explicitly said that if the applicant was not at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen, “do not complete this form, as you are not eligible to vote.”

The counts Smith was indicted on “did not have anything to do with her belief in her ability to vote in certain elections; rather they concerned the straightforward question of whether or not Smith intentionally and falsely swore she was a United States citizen,” Kayla Doyle, an assistant attorney general, said in court filings last year.

One of Smith's attorneys, Neil Weare, co-founder of the Washington-based Right to Democracy Project, said by email last week that if the appeals court lets stand the indictment, Alaska will be “the only state to our knowledge with such a low bar for felony voter fraud.”

Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska.

Photos from the Texas Legislature as Republicans push for new political maps

Photos from the Texas Legislature as Republicans push for new political maps

A Texas troopers passes the Texas Seal on the Rotunda of the Texas Capitol before debate on a bill for a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Howard Langer watches debate over a bill to approve a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to lawmakers during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, right, questions Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, during debate over a bill before a vote on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state senators pray before they debate a bill on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

House Bill 4, changing the U.S. congressional map in Texas, passes during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houson, sits through debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez votes on a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is surrounded by fellow Republicans as he faces off with Democrats during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas troopers watch from the balcony as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas trooper watches over protesters gathered outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, front right, answers questions during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional maps in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state lawmakers vote on an amendment during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Plesa's ripped up 'permission slip' is seen outside the House Chamber after she and other democrats joined fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, right, looks at a protester dressed as death standing outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sam Parker wears a "Handmaid's Tale" outfit as she stands outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas state trooper engages with a protester over noise volume outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Supporters for the returning Texas democrats chant as members enter the house at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Lynn Tozser, top, shows her support for the returning Texas democrats at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, left, shows members of the media his permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Toni Rose shows her permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, left, waves past Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, right, to supporters outside of the House Chamber where she refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters chant outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas troopers passes the Texas Seal on the Rotunda of the Texas Capitol before debate on a bill for a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Howard Langer watches debate over a bill to approve a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to lawmakers during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, right, questions Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, during debate over a bill before a vote on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state senators pray before they debate a bill on a redrawn U.S. congressional map during a special session in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

House Bill 4, changing the U.S. congressional map in Texas, passes during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houson, sits through debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez votes on a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is surrounded by fellow Republicans as he faces off with Democrats during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas troopers watch from the balcony as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas trooper watches over protesters gathered outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, front right, answers questions during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional maps in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state lawmakers vote on an amendment during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democratic Texas state Rep. Plesa's ripped up 'permission slip' is seen outside the House Chamber after she and other democrats joined fellow Rep. Nicole Collier who refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, right, looks at a protester dressed as death standing outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sam Parker wears a "Handmaid's Tale" outfit as she stands outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Texas state trooper engages with a protester over noise volume outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Supporters for the returning Texas democrats chant as members enter the house at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Lynn Tozser, top, shows her support for the returning Texas democrats at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, left, shows members of the media his permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters gather outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Toni Rose shows her permission slip to leave the House Chamber, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, left, waves past Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, right, to supporters outside of the House Chamber where she refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas state troopers post outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Protesters chant outside of the House Chamber where Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier refuses to leave due to a required law enforcement escort, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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