Texas Governor Greg Abbott just announced state legislators will draw new voting maps to protect Republican members of Congress in the 2026 midterms.

The claim states that Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that state legislators will draw new voting maps to protect Republican members of Congress in the 2026 midterms. Multiple sources confirm that Abbott has called for a special legislative session focused on redrawing Texas' congressional districts. According to The New York Times and NBC News, this redistricting effort is planned for later in the summer and is politically motivated, aiming to help Republicans hold onto their narrow majority in the U.S. House delegation from Texas.

CNN Politics explicitly notes that the GOP seeks a midterm advantage through this redistricting, with the new map likely shifting voters in a way that benefits Republican candidates. While the sources do not quote Abbott using the exact phrase 'to protect Republican members,' the context and political analysis strongly support that the purpose of the redistricting is to favor Republicans in upcoming elections.

Therefore, the claim is mostly accurate but slightly simplified, as it does not mention the formal process or other political considerations involved.