The Texas Senate is debating the controversial GOP redistricting bill that triggered a weekslong House standoff. The Republican-backed proposal, which passed the House in an 88-52 party-line vote on Wednesday, aims to redraw the state's congressional map and produce five new GOP-leaning districts.

The Texas Senate expected to vote Friday to send the GOP majority's gerrymander to the governor's desk for approval.

Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett will no longer run for reelection to his seat if Republicans' redrawn House map isn't shot down in court.

According to a copy of the letter posted on X by state Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas, the total fine is $9,345.25. A spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus confirmed that all of the Democrats who remained absent received the letter.

Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives returned to Austin on Aug. 18, 2025, but their protest of redistricting efforts continues.

The Texas Senate has approved a Trump backed redistricting bill that could gain the GOP five House seats in 2026.

Texas Democrats are preparing their final show of resistance against a mid-decade redraw of the state's congressional map