The Texas Senate Committee on Congressional Redistricting today advanced proposed redistricting legislation, Senate Bill 4, which would redraw Texas’ congressional voting maps.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2025
CONTACT: Emily Witt (she/her), [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate Committee on Congressional Redistricting today advanced proposed redistricting legislation, Senate Bill 4, which would redraw Texas’ congressional voting maps.
The controversial legislation would add five new congressional seats likely to favor Republican candidates.
Senate Bill 4’s companion, House Bill 4, was passed out of the House committee and slated to be debated on the House floor on Monday, August 4. However, that debate was stalled when Texas House Democrats chose to flee the state and break quorum, rendering the Texas House unable to conduct business.
Texas House Democrats chose to break quorum in response to the introduction of voting maps they feel unfairly “gerrymander” Texas voting districts, and because redistricting legislation was prioritized before flood relief and disaster preparedness legislation following catastrophic floods in the Texas Hill Country — a main focus of Governor Abbott’s July 9 announcement of the special legislative session.
Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez gave public testimony in Spanish during the committee hearing for Senate Bill 4. A recording can be found here, and a transcript in both English and Spanish can be found here.
Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) issued the following response:
“This authoritarian redistricting plan was created to silence our votes and voices. We refuse to let Trump take over Texas, all while Governor Abbott continues to abandon Texans who lost their lives, loved ones, and homes during the deadly Texas floods. Abbott is exploiting our tragedy and handing Texas to Trump on a silver platter. We see these voting maps for what they are: A blatant power grab.
“Thousands across the state have shown up at public hearings to reject these openly racist maps that seek to steal our voting power. They’ve heard us loud and clear—and in response, one side of the aisle has chosen to bend the knee to Trump while the other has broken quorum to defend our voting rights and the very soul of our nation.
“If we were not so powerful, they would not seek to divide and distract us by attacking our transgender neighbors, immigrant communities, reproductive rights, public education, and so much more. If we were not so powerful, they would not need to rig elections to win them. The Texas Freedom Network remains in solidarity with Texas House Democrats who have broken quorum, and we will keep pushing state lawmakers to focus on flood relief instead of stealing our freedoms.”
Senate Bill 4 is now eligible to go to the full Texas Senate for debate and a vote. Typically, the legislation would then move to the Texas House committee for a hearing. However, Texas House business remains stalled as the quorum break continues.
