AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers continued debates over efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps during a House committee hearing at the state Capitol in Austin, as protesters packed the building voicing opposition to the proposed changes.

The House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first and only public hearing since the proposed maps were made publicly available this week. The hearing represents the sole opportunity for public testimony on the redistricting issue after the redrawn maps were released.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, a Republican from Corpus Christi and author of the bill implementing the new maps, defended the redistricting plan and said it was designed to boost GOP chances at gaining five seats in Congress. Hunter emphasized the legal basis for

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