Texan legislators, led by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, are appealing a federal court decision that blocked their newly-drawn congressional map, which could cost Republicans five House seats in the upcoming midterms. The 2-1 ruling, issued by a district court panel, was criticized for allegedly diluting minority votes, despite the legislature’s rejection of race-based gerrymandering. The case has sparked a critical race for the Supreme Court, which is currently deliberating the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais.