The two most populous states are in a political battle poised to have a major impact on the balance of power in Washington DC.

California has worked fast to advance a new congressional district map that would offset potential Republican gains in Texas as next year's midterms loom.

Texas lawmakers approved a new congressional map this week at the behest of President Donald Trump, seeking to preserve his Republican Party's slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the November 2026 midterm elections.