Texas lawmakers approve redistricting map favouring Republicans

Texas legislators have approved new congressional maps meant to give Republicans an edge in next years elections for the US House of Representatives.

After a two-week standoff, where Democrats fled the state to stall the vote and rally supporters against the redistricting plans, Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives passed the new voting lines in an 88 - 52 vote.

The maps will now go to the Texas Senate, where they are expected to be swiftly approved.

The new maps are intended give Republicans five seats that are currently held by Democrats and shore up the partys US House majority. However, Democrat-led states are pushing to redraw their maps to offset those gains.

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