Congressional Cartography

The Texas Senate approved the “One Big Beautiful Map” bill on Saturday. 

At the urging of President Trump, the map redraws the Lone Star State’s congressional districts in an effort to turn five seats red and solidify Republican control of the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections. The bill was passed on a party-line vote after eight hours of debate; now it heads to the desk of Governor Abbott (R) for a signature. 

Critics say the pre-census cartography sets a bad precedent and disenfranchises voters; Democrats are promising to challenge it in court.

Meanwhile, California's retaliatory redistricting—meant to turn five seats blue—just got Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s John Hancock. Unlike its cowboy counterpart, the surfer state’s plan requires voter approval this November.

RADIATE HOPE
As you look toward November 2026, steer clear of both escapism (“everything will be better once ___ happens”) and anxiety (“we’ll be in trouble if ___ happens”). Walk in righteousness, justice, and gratitude today, trusting our good God for tomorrow.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring ​— ​what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’... So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.” 
James 4:13-17 (CSB) (read full passage)