I'm wondering this special se session is supposed to be about the flooding. Do people in Texas understand are they getting the message that this was a special session that was supposed to be about flooding that has turned into Donald Trump's request to gerrymander the state. I mean, do you when when you talk to people in Texas, are they angry.How do they feel about this. I think people in Texas, Democrats and Republicans alike, understand exactly what is going on. This is a power grab under the pretense in ...

Political Landscape & Redistricting - Republicans in Texas redrew congressional maps potentially adding up to five GOP seats [1] - Governor of California is promising a new map to boost Democratic seats in response [1] - The Senator suggests redistricting is an attempt to rig the system due to Republican policy concerns [3] - Some warn that such actions could erode trust in the system [3][4] Key Arguments & Stances - The Senator argues that Trump's policies are the reason for seeking more Republican seats [2] - The Senator believes Texas should stand down from redistricting efforts [5] - California and others will consider options to defend their beliefs about America [7] Potential Risks & Concerns - The Senator expresses concern over the economic stakes, the state of democracy, the health of institutions, and checks and balances [6] - A state assembly member warns against "trying to save democracy by destroying democracy" through gerrymandering [4]

Joining us now, former Congressman Betto Oorc of Texas. Congressman Oor, this map is pretty much a done deal as soon as Tuesday. So, what is the fight going to look like for Democrats in Texas.>> It's not a done deal. the state house Democrats can leave the state, break quorum, deny their Republican counterparts the numbers necessary to certify these maps and hold elections that would essentially steal five congressional districts in the state of Texas. My hope is that they will do this and not only deprive ...

Joining us now, semaphore politics reporter Dave Wigle, Punch Bowl News co-founder and MSNBC political contributor Jake Sherman, staff writer for The Atlantic and MSNBC contributor Mark Lieovich, and former North Dakota senator and MSNBC contributor Heidi Hydeamp. Thank you all for being with us. Jake, starting with you, this new Texas map targets Democratic US House members in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and in South Texas as well.Is this a done deal. Um will the how will the current representatives how are t ...

Redistricting and Political Strategy - Texas Republicans are aiming to gain five seats in the next midterm elections through a new congressional map, initiated by Governor Greg Abbott at the urging of President Trump [1] - The proposed maps would have favored President Trump in 30 out of 38 seats, each by more than 10 percentage points [2] - California Governor Gavin Newsom is considering redrawing congressional lines to favor Democrats if Texas Republicans proceed with their map [3] - Republicans are openly aiming to give Trump more seats, rather than focusing on fairness or constituent representation [5][6] Gerrymandering and its Consequences - The practice of gerrymandering, intensified by computer-based redistricting since the 1990s, leads to extreme partisanship and less need for representatives to appeal to a broad range of constituents [8][9][10][11] - Gerrymandering results in uncompetitive districts (e g, 90/10 or 80/20 party affiliation), where primary wins are more crucial than general elections, pushing House members to extremes [9][10] - In Wisconsin, gerrymandering after the 2010 election led to Republicans controlling 60-65% of the state legislature despite a roughly 50/50 split in the popular vote [24][25] Legal and Voter Perspectives - Democrats may challenge the Texas maps in court, arguing that they eliminate majority-minority districts, violating the Voting Rights Act, but face challenges in Texas courts [13][14] - Some Democrats suggest abandoning the concept of majority-minority districts to maximize the number of seats they can win [15] - Voters generally oppose politicians drawing districts to prevent themselves from losing, but the presentation of ballot initiatives can influence their perception [20][21] Potential National Implications - The redistricting efforts in Texas could trigger an "arms race," with some Democrats suggesting similar tactics in blue states like New York and California [17] - There is growing pressure on Democratic leaders to adopt more aggressive redistricting strategies, mirroring Republican tactics, to maintain political power [27] - Some fear that the current trend is leading to an increasingly polarized and "ugly" political landscape, where both parties prioritize partisan advantage over fairness [28][29]

And Senator Padilla joins us now. He's a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. >> Senator, thanks for joining us.We know the Office of Special Counsel this White House submitted a new name to lead up that office, a Trump loyalist, some may say stick. Do you really believe that the office of special counsel under this administration would do an investigation into this. Look, I know there's questions and whether they may or may not actually do the job of investigating, which by the way, they have confirme ...

Constitutional Law & Redistricting - California's state Constitution mandates bipartisan redistricting [1] - Complaints about California's gerrymandering are valid due to implicit violation of their own Constitution [1]

From pole taxes to white only primaries, Texas has discriminated against voters of color for generations. >> Please complete your testimony. >> You have the power to reject that.To reject the pressure from President Trump and national Republican operatives urging you to offset their anticipated electoral losses elsewhere by redrawing the map in Texas to discriminate against minority communities. That was Democratic Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher pushing back against the GOP plan to redraw Texas's congression ...

Joining me now is Texas Congresswoman Julie Johnson, vice ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee. Welcome, Congresswoman. Glad to have you here.And we just heard from your colleague, Congressman BC there. Whose district, like yours, could be on a redistricting target list. What could proposed maps look like for your seat.Well, you know, they're absolutely targeting Dallas County um because we are a very high voting Democrat voting uh area. And so they're trying to really fajit distribut it, howev ...

And the man you just heard there is joining me now, former Texas Congressman and 2020 presidential candidate, Better Oorc. He is the founder of the voter registration organization powered by people. We're going to talk about where you are and what you're doing in a moment, Congresswoman, but you're not just condemning this Republican power grab.You're also telling Democrats to be ruthless and blue states like California, Illinois, and New York to carve out extra congressional districts ahead of the midterms ...