Supreme Court Upholds State’s Redrawn Congressional Map

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to reverse a lower court’s ruling and uphold the mid-decade redrawn congressional map for Texas sent candidates scrambling to file or opt to retire with the filing deadline on Monday, Dec. 8. The map is likely to give Republican candidates wins in up to five congressional districts previously held by Democrats.

The majority on the court agreed that the redistricting was done for partisan purposes, calling it “indisputable,” The Dallas Morning News reported. Those opposing it claim it was redrawn to dilute the voting power of the state’s minorities in Houston, Dallas and South Texas.

Six Texas GOP Members of Congress are Leaving 

At least six Texas Republican members of Congress are retiring or seeking a higher office, the Houston Chronicle reported. The latest to announce his retirement is U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, one of President Trump’s most ardent backers in that chamber. His brother, Trevor, has announced he plans to run for that seat.

Others planning to leave when their term ends in 2027 include U.S. Reps. JodyArrington, R-Plainview; Morgan Luttrell, R-Magnolia; Michael McCaul, R-Austin; Wesley Hunt, RHouston, who is running for the U.S. Senate spot now held by John Cornyn; and Chip Roy, R-Hays County, who is running for Texas attorney general.

Republicans currently hold a 219-seat majority in the House, with Democrats holding 213 seats. There are three vacancies.

‘Bounty Hunter’ Law Targets Abortion Pills 

A new Texas law targeting women accessing abortion pills shipped from out of state allows private citizens to sue out-of-state abortion pill prescribers, manufacturers and distributors, the Houston Chronicle reported. Each violation could bring with it $100,000 in damages, similar to the enforcement mechanism used in 2021 to ban abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy.

The law targets groups that operate outside of Texas and ship abortion pills to people in the state, as well as doctors in states where abortion is still legal who write prescriptions to Texas women. They will now be open to civil liability claims if they “knowingly fail” to prevent their abortion drugs from reaching Texas.

The bill’s author, state Rep. Jeff Leach, RPlano, said the goal of his bill was to protect mothers from the potential side effects of the pills. However, research shows that complications from abortion pills are rare. Their use is supported by major medical associations.