AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked off a heated debate over a new congressional map creating five new potential GOP seats that is expected to pass the chamber later in the day as part of a growing national redistricting battle.

A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.

The new, partisan maps come on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s launch of California’s redistricting campaign on Thursday, an effort he touted as meant to favor Democrats in California in the upcoming midterm elections as a counter to similar efforts in Republican-led states elsewhere in the country.

Rep. George Whitesides, a prime GOP target, would be in a bluer district as other Dems pick up more Republican voters.

A California legislative hearing turned into a shouting match Tuesday as a Republican lawmaker clashed with Democrats over a partisan plan to rewrite U.S. House maps to win Democrats more seats.

As high-stakes redistricting battles erupt nationwide, an Ohio coalition is stepping back into the spotlight to fend off partisan gerrymandering. The Equal Districts Coalition — a statewide alliance of environmental,

Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting.

Louisiana redistricting map blocked by appeals court for diluting Black votes while Supreme Court considers broader case on race-conscious congressional district drawing.