AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The two most populous U.S. states — California and Texas — are grappling for political advantage ahead of the 2026 elections, setting up a national proxy war as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress in the latter half of Donald Trump's second presidency.

In Texas, Democrats on Tuesday again prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by Trump to shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as his political standing falters. It was the second consecutive day that absent Democrats forced a quick adjournment by denying the GOP majority the required quorum to take votes.

In California, Democrats encouraged by Gov. Gavin Newsom are considering new political maps that

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