The Supreme Court is allowing the challenged Texas congressional redistricting plan to be used in next year’s election, despite a lower-court ruling that the map likely discriminates on the basis of r

WASHINGTON – By allowing Texas Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional map, the Supreme Court has kickstarted a nationwide partisan arms race over who holds a critical level of power in Washington during the final two years of President Donald Trump 's second term.

Texas officials drew the new congressional map to help Republicans gain up to five additional seats in the House in next year's midterm elections.

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a Texas Republican-backed redistricting map, giving the party a more favorable political landscape in the Lone Star State and a victory for President Donald Trump, who supported the plan.

The Supreme Court’s endorsement of how Texas Republicans redrew the state’s congressional map is offering hope to California Democrats as they prepare to defend their map in court this month – and emboldening other states to move ahead.