Supreme Court Blocks Order That Found Texas Congressional Map is Likely Racially Biased

AUSTIN, TEXAS – AUGUST 06: U.S. Congressional District maps are displayed as the Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting meets to hear invited testimony on Congressional plan C2308 at the Texas State Capitol on August 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas. The meeting adjourned early due to a lack of attendees for testimony. Earlier this week, Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state in an attempt to protest and deny quorum for votes on the proposed Republican redistricting plan, which would secure five additional GOP seats in the U.S. House. Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to remove lawmakers who do not return and has asked the Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leaders who fled the state. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that found Texas’ 2026 congressional redistricting plan pushed by President Donald Trump likely discriminates on the basis of race. The order signed Friday by Justice Samuel Alito will remain in place at least for the next few days while the court considers whether to allow the new map favorable to Republicans to be used in the midterm elections. The court’s conservative majority has blocked similar lower court rulings because they have come too close to elections. The order came after the state asked the high court to intervene to avoid confusion as congressional primary elections approach.