Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett speaks in front of Democratic members of Congress and Texas House Democrats during a news conference, after they left their state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at IBEW Local Union 701 on August 4, 2025 in Warrenville, Illinois. Dozens of Democrats in the Texas legislature faced threats of legal action Monday after they fled the state to block a redrawing of districts in Republicans' favor ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Republican-controlled state, following a push by President Donald Trump, are seeking to shift congressional district borders such that five seats flip from Democratic control. The contentious but legally permitted move, known as partisan gerrymandering, seeks to prevent Republicans from losing control of the US House of Representatives in next year's midterms, when the opposition party usually does more favorably. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP / Getty Images