Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map as part of a special session that kicks off later this month, as the GOP seeks to retain its narrow US House majority after next year’s midterm elections.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is directing state lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map at a special legislative session later this month. Under the current GOP-drawn Texas map,

Flags are half-staff across Texas today, as Gov. Greg Abbott ordered them lowered to honor the victims of the deadly Texas floods.

Texas leaders across political lines urge prayer for flood victims as the state, ranked third most religious in the U.S., copes with devastating floods that have claimed at least 80 lives.