WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump launched a mid-decade effort in January 2026 to redraw congressional districts before the 2026 general election, aiming to give Republicans an advantage in the U.S. House. The push included persuading Republican state lawmakers in Texas to redraw that state's map and backing primary challenges against Indiana Republicans who opposed a similar plan.

In Texas, the initiative sought to gain five seats for the Republican Party. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows threatened to have Democratic lawmakers arrested for leaving the state to block a redistricting vote, and announced he had signed arrest warrants for the absent members and intended to have law enforcement track them upon their return.

"For those that have fled to Illinois or to California, be reminded that the FBI's assistance has reportedly been enlisted and their powers are not confined to any singular state's boundaries," Burrows said. He also said the absent Democratic lawmakers were abandoning their legislative responsibilities on issues such as disaster relief and crime. Burrows was elected speaker in 2025 with support from Democratic members and has pursued an agenda including school vouchers and tax cuts.

In Indiana, the redistricting push stalled. In December 2025, the state Senate voted against a redistricting proposal, with 21 Republican senators opposing it. Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announced that Republicans did not have the votes to pass the proposal and that he would not convene a special session to consider it. Bray said he preferred that Republicans focus on winning the two congressional districts held by Democrats.

"The people that decided they were for it, I gave them no pressure or punishment whatsoever. The people that weren't for it, it was their decision completely," Bray said. He added that constituent feedback shaped his position. "I was contacted by many, many, many constituents. I would say 10 were against it to every one that was for it. So that was a big part of my decision as well," he said.

Trump and Indiana Governor Mike Braun vowed to mount primary challenges against Republican lawmakers who refused to support redistricting. "We're after you Bray, like no one has ever come after you before!" Trump posted in January 2026. Bray is not up for reelection until 2028. During the Indiana debate, several lawmakers faced threats or swatting attempts that resulted in police being sent to their homes.

California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, pursued their state's redistricting process in response to the Republican efforts. Virginia voters had the opportunity on Tuesday to approve or reject a proposed redistricting plan that could have changed the state's U.S. House delegation from six Democrats and five Republicans to ten Democrats and one Republican.