The Texas Senate approved a Republican-favored congressional map on Tuesday, moving it closer to final passage in the Legislature. 

The Hill reports that in a 19-2 vote, the Senate passed new congressional boundaries that could give the GOP five additional seats in the U.S. House for the 2026 midterm elections. The proposal mirrors the map currently under consideration in the Texas House.

A group of Senate Democrats exited the session in protest, issuing a statement that read, “We walked out because this session should be about flood relief, not politics. Texans deserve leaders who put people first.” Texas Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D) and Judith Zaffirini (D) remained in the chamber, thus not participating in the walkout, according to The Dallas Morning News. 

Earlier this month, a Texas House committee advanced its version of the map, but a vote on the House floor has been delayed as Texas Democrats remain out of the state to block a quorum—the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct business. As previously reported by BET, the Dems initially fled the state to delay the redistricting actions from taking place. 

For the new congressional map to take effect, the Texas House must pass it before Gov. Greg Abbott (R) can sign it into law.

Critics are already preparing legal challenges. “Under this new, even worse gerrymander, millions of Texans—targeting Texans of color—will have their voices silenced,” said John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.