State lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives have approved a controversial plan to redraw district electoral maps, in a move that Republicans expect will give them an advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives during federal elections.

The Texas House voted 88-52 Wednesday to draw new voting lines, following a weeks-long standoff with state Democrats, who left Texas to deny GOP lawmakers a quorum in protest over the redistricting plan.

The legislation now moves to the Republican-held state Senate, where swift passage is expected.

If they are enacted, the new maps could translate to as many as five new seats in the U.S. House during the midterm elections coming in 2026.

Democrats left Texas and went to a number of friendly states on August 3, seeking to slow down Republican

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