The former president lent his support to Gov. Gavin Newsom's retaliatory redistricting plan shortly before Republicans in Texas passed their bill to redraw congressional lines.

Former President Barack Obama has waded into states’ efforts at rare mid-decade redistricting efforts, saying he agrees with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to alter his state’s congressional maps, in the way of Texas redistricting efforts promoted by President Donald Trump aimed at shoring up Republicans’ position in next year’s elections.

A Texas Democrat has stayed overnight at the state Capitol to protest how the Texas House’s top Republican had dozens of her colleagues shadowed.

The Republican-controlled state House in Texas has passed new congressional maps that aim to pad the party’s majority in Washington by as much as five seats in the midterm elections, a move that comes as battles over redistricting spread across the country.

Other Democratic lawmakers have joined a colleague in staying at the Texas Capitol rather than accept around-the-clock police escorts meant to prevent them from blocking a vote on a Republican plan for redrawing congressional districts.

A state lawmaker has refused to leave the Texas Capitol as Republicans use police to prevent Democrats from fleeing the state over a redistricting vote.