Former Democratic President Barack Obama has weighed in on the rare mid-decade redistricting battles unfolding in several states, voicing support for California Governor Gavin Newsom 's cautious approach to revising congressional maps.

Why It Matters

Obama's comments came as Republican-led efforts in Texas, encouraged by President Donald Trump , aim to strengthen GOP control ahead of next year's elections. Texas is poised to approve a new congressional map on Wednesday that could deliver five additional seats to the GOP in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In response to Texas, Newsom kicked off a Democratic-led redistricting effort in California aimed at offsetting Republican gains in the House. The redistricting process works differently in California than in Texas, requiring v

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