Texas Redistrict Map Completed

State lawmakers reached an agreement Thursday on a new congressional district map that would put the delegation in Republican control, fending off last-minute GOP infighting about how to divide up the seats.

The new map could add as many as seven Republicans to Texas’ congressional delegation, currently led by Democrats, 17 to 15.

“The majority of the voters in the state of Texas support President George W. Bush and his policies. The majority of our congressional delegation does not, and that’s just not fair,” Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Thursday.

The announcement paved the way for a vote today in the House and Senate and appeared to end months of squabbling over redistricting that included two walkouts by Democrats who sought to block a vote.

Gov. Rick Perry is expected to sign the bill if it passes.

Gerry Hebert, an attorney for most Texas Democrats in the Legislature and Congress, said a court challenge will be filed. “It is an affront to Democrats and voting rights, and it is an incredible abuse of power,” he said.

Democrats boycotted the Texas Legislature twice this year in bids to block quorums and kill redistricting bills.

House Democrats fled to Oklahoma in May, and Senate Democrats went to New Mexico for six weeks beginning in July to block votes. The Senate Democrats returned when one of their own defected, giving Republicans the quorum they needed to do business.