Schiff: ‘Only way’ Republicans ‘feel they can survive’ midterms is by redrawing Texas lines

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) went after Republicans on Sunday for their redrawing of congressional maps in Texas as his own state is undertaking an effort to do the same.

“Democrats offered the legislation in the last session to eliminate the gerrymander in every state. We supported, I think to a person,” Schiff told NBC News’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press.” “Republicans, I think almost to a person, maybe to a person, opposed that. It’s very clear what party wants to do away with gerrymandering.”

“But it was interesting to me when you asked JD Vance, ‘Hey, if your agenda’s so popular, why are you trying to gerrymander Texas, a state that is already gerrymandered to elect Republicans?’ And he didn’t try to defend the president’s agenda,” Schiff added.

Schiff claimed President Trump was “one of the most unpopular presidents in history” and that his agenda was unpopular, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“So, of course, the only way they feel they can survive the midterms is by redrawing the lines in Texas. California is not going to stand for this. We will fight fire with fire. Don’t poke the bear,” he continued.

Early Saturday, the Texas state Senate gave its approval on a new congressional map, sending the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law prior to next year’s midterms.

The vote made it through the upper chamber via an 18-11 party-line vote, as expected.

On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court shot down a petition filed by state Republican legislators looking to halt Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) plan to redistrict the Golden State’s congressional map.

“Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under California Constitution article IV, section 8,” a brief order posted to the docket states.

The Hill has reached out to the Republican National Committee, the White House and Vice President Vance’s office for comment.

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