The governor eventually agreed to include redistricting on his special session agenda after discussing the matter with the president on a phone call.

The first public hearing is set for Thursday in Austin. The House Redistricting Committee will then meet Saturday at the University of Houston. The final public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The prospect of Eric Flores’ candidacy has excited Republicans in Texas and Washington, due in part to his military and law enforcement credentials.

Republicans hold a narrow edge in the U.S. House and President Donald Trump is calling for GOP-led states to redraw maps to help the party ahead of the 2026 elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has already called his state’s legislature in to do so – and Democrats are wary that DeSantis will do the same.

California Democrat Eric Swalwell discussed engaging with Christian podcasts and accused the opposition of "weaponizing faith" in a new interview.

Texas Republican State Representative Brian Harrison shared his thoughts with Jack Fink on the state budget ahead of the special session, which he has sharply criticized. He said he believes that property taxes didn't go far enough in the regular session.

The 30-day special session of the Texas Legislature is set to begin Monday, July 21. The agenda includes 18 legislative priorities determined by Gov. Greg Abbott.Several of the priorities listed address the recent devastating floods in Central Texas.

Why this matters for America: After facing pressure from Trump’s political team, Gov. Greg Abbott has asked lawmakers to redraw some of Texas’ 38 U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Trump wants to disperse GOP voters across the state to help flip blue seats, rather then have them be consolidated in red districts.