By MARK SHERMAN WASHINGTON (AP) Texas on Friday asked the Supreme Court for an emergency order to be allowed to use a congressional redistricting plan pushed by President Donald Trump that is favorable to Republicans in the 2026 elections despite a lower court ruling that it likely discriminates on the basis of race. The state is calling on the high court to intervene to avoid confusion as congressional primary elections approach in March. The justices have blocked past lower-court rulings in congressional redistricting cases, most recently in Alabama and Louisiana, that came several months before elections. Texas redrew its congressional map in the summer as part of Trump’s efforts to preserve a slim Republican majority in the House in next year’s elections, touching off a nationwide redistricting battle. The new redistricting map was engineered to give Republicans five additional House seats, but a panel of federal judges in El Paso ruled 2-1 Tuesday that the civil rights groups that challenged the map on behalf of Black and Hispanic voters were likely to win their case. If the ruling holds for now, Texas could be forced to hold elections next year using the map drawn by the GOP-controlled Legislature in 2021 based on the 2020 census. Texas was the first state to meet Trump’s demands in what has become an expanding national battle over redistricting. Republicans drew the state’s new map to give the GOP five additional seats, and Missouri and North Carolina followed with new maps adding an additional Republican seat each. To counter those moves, California voters approved a ballot initiative to give Democrats an additional five seats there. The redrawn maps are facing court challenges in California, Missouri and North Carolina.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/11/21/election-2026-redistricting-texas-scotus/
Tag: congressional
Federal court halts Texas’ new House map, orders return to 2021 districts
A federal court on Tuesday blocked Texas from using its newly drawn 2025 congressional map, ruling that state lawmakers likely engaged in unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. In a 160-page order, a three-judge panel in the Western District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state from implementing the map in the 2026 elections. Instead, the court ordered Texas to revert to the congressional map enacted in 2021 while the case proceeds. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
https://www.wptv.com/politics/federal-court-halts-texas-new-house-map-orders-return-to-2021-districts
Threats to democracy in the Congressional Record
As you might imagine, the word “democracy” has been mentioned in Congressional speeches many times over the years. However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in how democracy is discussed.
Over the past several years, it has become much more common to hear democracy described as being under threat. This change in tone reflects growing concerns about the state of democratic institutions and values.
For The Pudding, Alvin Chang conducted an analysis of speeches recorded in the Congressional Record dating back to 1880. His work highlights this abrupt shift in sentiment, showing how perceptions of democracy have evolved over time.
https://flowingdata.com/2025/11/14/threats-to-democracy-in-the-congressional-record/
Newsom’s Prop 50 Redistricting Measure Faces New Lawsuit from DOJ
The Justice Department on Thursday filed a lawsuit to block California’s newly approved congressional districts, escalating a legal battle that could impact which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, targets the redistricting map advanced by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. This move comes after Republicans pursued a similar redistricting effort in Texas, which was backed by former President Donald Trump.
This case sets up a high-stakes clash between the GOP-led administration and Governor Newsom, a Democrat widely viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.
https://www.newsweek.com/newsom-prop-50-california-doj-lawsuit-trump-congress-redistricting-11043732
This Week in Texas: 2025 Election Analysis
In the latest episode of *This Week in Texas*, ABC13 takes a closer look at the November 4 election. This ballot was packed with constitutional amendments as well as some key runoff races that are shaping the future of Texas politics.
Our panel of political insiders, Angel Carroll and Court Koenning, break down the results of the highly contested race for Congressional District 18. The race now heads to a runoff between Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee, and our experts analyze what this means for the district moving forward.
In addition to the congressional race, the episode explores the lasting impact of the recent changes made to the Texas constitution. These amendments could have significant implications for the state’s governance and policy landscape.
Finally, the panel offers a forward-looking perspective on Tuesday’s election results and what they might signal as Texas gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Stay tuned to *This Week in Texas* for in-depth political analysis and insights.
https://abc13.com/post/week-texas-2025-election-analysis/18131426/
Lawmakers Call to Pass ‘PELOSI Act’ Banning Congressional Stock Trading in Honor of Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement
**Lawmakers Call for Passage of PELOSI Act to Ban Congressional Stock Trading Following Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement**
*Breitbart | November 6, 2025 | Sean Moran*
On Thursday, lawmakers renewed calls for the passage of the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act in honor of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) recent retirement.
Senator Josh Hawley commented to reporters, “She’ll be the opportunity to finally ban stock trading by members of Congress. Nobody made more, I think, than her.”
In April, Hawley reintroduced the PELOSI Act, which aims to prohibit lawmakers and their spouses from purchasing or selling individual stocks. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate conflicts of interest and promote transparency within Congress.
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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4351318/posts
Biss sued by group over ICE records
A conservative activist group is suing Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in his capacity as mayor over what the group alleges is a violation of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) related to Biss’ participation in protests against immigration agents.
The Washington D.C.-based Judicial Watch, which is also suing the city over its reparations program, said it submitted FOIA requests in late September for public records concerning Biss’ “activities related to ICE operations and protest.”
The records requested by Judicial Watch include documents or emails “created by Mayor Daniel Biss regarding efforts to disrupt, monitor, or oppose ICE operations,” records of his participation in protests in Broadview, and his public calendar. The group also sought media related to the protests, including photos or recordings held by the City of Evanston or Biss on “city-issued devices.”
The lawsuit also includes requests for records related to Biss’ “decision to deactivate Evanston’s license plate cameras.” However, this decision was not made by Biss himself but by Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart and eventually the City Council.
Judicial Watch alleges that the city denied its FOIA request for these documents, stating the request was “unduly burdensome” and could not be complied with within the required time frame. Under Illinois FOIA law, requests are managed not by the mayor but by the city clerk, Stephanie Mendoza.
“[T]he mayor of Evanston’s apparent interference with lawful immigration operations undermines the rule of law and places law enforcement and other innocent lives at risk,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
It is important to note that Biss is not a designated FOIA Officer and does not have oversight over FOIA requests.
The case was filed late last week in the chancery division of Cook County Circuit Court. When reached for comment on Thursday, the city declined, citing its general policy against commenting on pending litigation.
On Thursday afternoon, Mayor Biss addressed the Judicial Watch lawsuit in a fundraising email for his congressional campaign. He said he was being sued “for defending Evanston against ICE’s attacks on our community,” adding, “nothing will stop me from fighting for Evanston.”
In a related matter, on Wednesday, Judicial Watch sued Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for records related to the state’s “role in providing refuge to Texas Democrat legislators, who fled their state in an attempt to deny quorum and block a redistricting vote.”
https://evanstonnow.com/biss-sued-by-group-over-ice-records/
Doug LaMalfa warns Proposition 50 could silence California’s rural voices
The day the Washington Examiner spoke to him, Rep. Doug LaMalfa was on a tractor, working on his rice farm. The folksy lawmaker, known for giving his team nicknames and joking that he’s a tough boss, grew serious when the conversation turned to redistricting.
LaMalfa was elected to the California Assembly in 2002, the state Senate in 2010, and then the U.S. House in 2012. After serving in Congress for seven terms, he is now about to face the biggest fight of his political life.
Democrats have long targeted LaMalfa’s seat, but their chances could soon improve drastically. If the new congressional districts proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and state Democrats are approved by voters in Tuesday’s special election, LaMalfa could be in for an uphill battle for reelection next year.
California’s Proposition 50 was triggered in response to President Donald Trump urging Texas legislators to change the state’s map to give Republicans a five-seat advantage in next year’s midterm elections. Since then, other GOP-led states—including Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah—have followed suit. Several others have either started the process or indicated they are considering redrawing their maps.
Unlike Texas, where state lawmakers control the drawing of congressional maps, California’s process is more complicated. Its constitution requires an independent redistricting commission to draw the map, and voters must approve any changes. That means even though the state legislature passed the proposed map, voters will decide on Tuesday whether it will be used for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
If voters greenlight it, the map would put three Republican-held seats into safe Democratic hands and turn two others into districts that lean Democratic. Specifically, the map would change districts held by LaMalfa and Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) in Northern California. In Southern California, Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) would be at risk, and in the Central Valley, Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) would face a much harder reelection battle.
LaMalfa represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which currently stretches south from the Oregon border almost to Sacramento. It covers the rice fields, walnut and almond orchards of the Sacramento Valley, extending to the forested foothills of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range. The vast majority of the residents are farming families who have harvested the land for decades. This rural district is among the most conservative and least diverse in the state.
If Proposition 50 passes, the district would be split into two. The new 1st District would be redrawn to include Democratic voters from Santa Rosa through Chico—a university town—and extend to the Nevada border. This change would turn LaMalfa, an incumbent who won reelection last year with nearly two-thirds of the vote, into an underdog.
“This is a complete and naked power grab by Newsom,” LaMalfa said. “The census isn’t broken. The lines aren’t broken. We could wait five more years to redefine mine. I realize everybody’s moving out of California, and maybe the population has shifted a little bit, but you wait for that. You wait for a census process. They didn’t. They didn’t do a new census in order to make cleaner districts. They’ve just made it 10 times worse. These were hand-drawn for legislators already picked, and it’s going to cost California taxpayers about $300 million, and then the counties themselves have to pay for the cost of running their election.”
LaMalfa fears that if the new map passes, it would silence the voices of rural voters who are already struggling with representation in a heavily Democratic state. That concern is shared by Bob Braz, a Redding-area native who owns a bait shop.
“I pretty much love the guy,” Braz said. “I stand for almost all the things that he’s done.”
One pressing issue affecting the area is the growing population of gray wolves, predators ranchers claim are threatening their livelihoods by preying on cattle. A February 2022 court order restored federal protections for gray wolves in 48 states, excluding the Northern Rocky Mountains. LaMalfa is trying to get them delisted in California.
“We’ve lost probably 200 calves, young calves, brand new calves this year from the wolves there, and [ranchers] have no help from the state,” he said.
Earlier this year, Shasta County declared a local state of emergency due to the threat. In July, sheriffs from Siskiyou, El Dorado, and Sierra counties called on the California legislature and Department of Fish and Wildlife to revisit current policies.
Another pressing issue is the longfin smelt, a fish species on which LaMalfa has pushed to roll back federal protections. He aims to ease water delivery restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta intended to protect the fish but claimed by farmers and some water agencies to hurt agriculture.
LaMalfa said these issues would likely get overlooked by a representative unfamiliar with the area and the concerns farmers face firsthand.
“Who the hell is going to speak up for them if it’s all Bay Area representatives that are concerned more with winning the next award from an environmental group or LGB[T] group?” he asked.
Earlier this year, LaMalfa made national headlines for hosting a town hall in Chico that quickly devolved into a 90-minute shouting session. A crowd of more than 650 people at the local Elks Lodge slammed him for his vote in favor of Trump’s budget bill, saying it would hurt vulnerable Californians and “devastate” rural hospitals.
LaMalfa tried to defend his record and that of Republicans in Congress but was repeatedly met with boos. It was his first in-person town hall in Chico in eight years.
LaMalfa’s unwavering support of Trump has put a target on his back with residents who say it is time for a change. Last month, Audrey Denney, a hunger-relief advocate who has never been elected to public office, announced her bid to challenge LaMalfa.
### Five California Republicans Targeted by Newsom Redistricting Plan
“The American Dream is out of reach because it’s simply not affordable,” Denney said in a statement. “Meanwhile, Donald Trump, Doug LaMalfa, and Republicans in Washington are selling out our health care, food security, and hard-earned benefits to give massive tax breaks to billionaires. Working people deserve a government that works for them and enough is enough.”
Denney has run against LaMalfa twice before, in 2018 and 2020. In those races, she focused on wildfire preparedness, healthcare, and education. This time around, she has framed the fight as one against Trump, billionaires, and the political elite.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/3868158/california-doug-lamalfa-proposition-50-silence-rural-voices/