# Federal Panel to Rule on Texas Congressional Maps & Minority Voting Power | Texas Political Spotlight | USLege

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# Federal Panel to Rule on Texas Congressional Maps & Minority Voting Power | Texas Political Spotlight

Texas Political Highlights from the Week

Texas Political Spotlight October 1, 2025

This is the archive excerpt.

The complete issue, with every story in full, lives on The Political Spotlight.

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**Welcome back, friends**  
A three-judge federal panel in El Paso will open hearings Oct. 1 to decide whether Texas’ new congressional maps unlawfully dilute minority voting power. At the same time, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced it will stop issuing or renewing commercial driver’s licenses for DACA recipients, refugees, and asylum holders under a new federal directive. Lastly, Governor Abbott unveiled a $562 million low-interest loan from the Texas Energy Fund to NRG Energy, the largest awarded so far, to expand natural gas generation at Baytown’s Cedar Bayou station and help meet the state’s growing power demands.

![](/assets/news/36b9dcbe22c7_69fe3b1c155fc647a5cb195a_68dd934355d4121e8a89ee6e_1.jpeg)

> [#NEW](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw): A ten-day preliminary injunction hearing begins today in El Paso, TX, before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, challenging the state's new congressional map. [https://t.co/lAODOUwtft](https://t.co/lAODOUwtft) [pic.twitter.com/I19CGeQSqc](https://t.co/I19CGeQSqc)
> 
> — The Redistrict Network (@RedistrictNet) [October 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/RedistrictNet/status/1973383715691594017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

![](/assets/news/5c58557c321b_69fe3b1c155fc647a5cb1957_68dd934455d4121e8a89ee75_2.jpeg)

> Texas prohibits CDLs to refugees, asylum seekers & DACA recipients.  
>   
> We already outlawed CDLs for illegal immigrants.  
>   
> I also directed DPS to conduct English Language Proficiency reviews for all commercial license operators.  
>   
> This is in line with Trump's new rules to…
> 
> — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott\_TX) [September 30, 2025](https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1972846326674067791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

![](/assets/news/17a25d476a51_69fe3b1c155fc647a5cb1951_68dd934355d4121e8a89ee6a_3.jpeg)

> Gov. Abbott touts “robust, reliable” power as NRG wins a record $562 million loan for its Baytown plant, expected to support 180,000 Texas homes once it opens in 2028.[https://t.co/UaUuBbICfc](https://t.co/UaUuBbICfc)
> 
> — Texas Scorecard (@TexasScorecard) [October 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/TexasScorecard/status/1973198831467597866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

We hope you enjoyed today’s read!

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> 🚨 Bills & Business Podcast: From the Lege to Leadership with Gavin Nicholson 🚨  
>   
> We’re excited to share our latest episode, "Gavin Nicholson on Policy, Innovation, and Texas’ Future." In this conversation, [@GavinRNicholson](https://twitter.com/GavinRNicholson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), Founder & CEO of the TexCap Policy Institute, joins… [pic.twitter.com/GjKO7QQv2B](https://t.co/GjKO7QQv2B)
> 
> — USLege (@USLege\_ai) [September 25, 2025](https://twitter.com/USLege_ai/status/1971258514212258294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Read the complete issue

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[Full issue](https://uslege.beehiiv.com/p/texas-political-spotlight-6e18) [Subscribe free](https://uslege.beehiiv.com/)

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