Democrats said the walkout inspired a national protest against GOP redistricting. But it also greased the path for other bills they oppose and unified Texas Republicans.

Democratic Party leaders from across the country are meeting in Minneapolis as the party reckons with its 2024 losses and faces Republican redistricting. In Texas, Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett said he would retire if the new congressional maps stand.

The Texas redistricting battle is entering a new front as the fight turns to the courts, where Democrats and civil rights groups are expected to challenge the newly passed maps. Texas House Democrats who had fled the state to stall the maps said that they were returning “to the House floor and to the courthouse” this