Texas Republicans are near passing a new congressional map, sparking a response from California and igniting a new battle between Republicans and Democrats.

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.

Redistricting is garnering most of the media’s attention in Texas, but Gov. Greg Abbott and legislators also seek more property tax relief during this special session.

California Republicans whose congressional districts would become more favorable to Democrats if proposed district maps are approved condemn efforts as harmful to voters.

Redistricting takes center stage on Wednesday, with California and Texas state lawmakers set to consider their efforts to gerrymander congressional districts to benefit Democrats in the West and Republicans in the Lone Star State.

A walkout by Democratic legislators in Texas has ended, and Republicans are arranging to push a plan for redrawing the state’s congressional districts through the GOP-controlled Legislature

U.S.-NATO MEETING: U.S. and NATO military officials will meet today to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine as the White House works to arrange a summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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. A committee voted along party lines to advance a new congressional map in response to a Republican redistricting effort in Texas that President Donald Trump wants.