CHAMPIONING SMALL BUSINESS JOB CREATORS

Senator Hinojosa recognizes that small businesses are what fuels Texas’ economic engine, as they employ one out of every two Texans. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa has put small businesses at the forefront of Texas’ … Continue reading →

SUPPORTING THE ROLE COMMUNITY COLLEGES PLAY IN OUR ECONOMY

As the demand increases for middle-skilled jobs that require more than a high school diploma, Senator Hinojosa recognizes that community colleges fill a critical role in the effort to prepare Texans with the work skills they need to compete for … Continue reading →

ESTABLISHING AN ENGINEERING PROGRAM AT TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI

It is estimated that over 2 million jobs are being created in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. To help meet that need in our region, Senator Hinojosa worked with A&M Corpus Christi and community leaders to secure … Continue reading →

GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE EDUCATION NECESSARY TO COMPETE

Education is the ticket to our children’s future. With more education comes more opportunities to compete for higher paying jobs. But as our school populations are exploding, and college tuition keeps rising, we cannot balance the budget on the backs … Continue reading →

TRANSFORMING THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION

Senator Hinojosa championed historic legislation with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 24 which created the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a top-tier university and medical school, and the second largest Hispanic-serving institution in the nation. SB 24 authorized the … Continue reading →

CRACKING DOWN ON WASTE AND MISMANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT

Our lawmakers have a responsibility to save taxpayers’ money by making government more efficient and to ensure the proper oversight of governmental entities. As a recent member of the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Vice Chair of the Senate Finance … Continue reading →

STANDING UP FOR HOMEOWNERS AGAINST UNFAIR WINDSTORM INSURANCE RAISES

Thanks to efforts of Senator Hinojosa and his colleagues, Nueces County families can no longer be slapped with excessive surcharges in the aftermath of a hurricane. In the 2009 Legislative Session, Senator Hinojosa led the negotiations to pass comprehensive Texas … Continue reading →

GIVING LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO SECURE THE BORDER

Senator Hinojosa has led the effort to properly equip the Department of Public Safety to combat drug traffickers and help ease the financial burdens that have been unfairly placed on border communities. Senator Hinojosa understands the importance of giving law … Continue reading →

EXPANDING THE COASTAL ECONOMY

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa secured increased funding for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, including first time funding for the new civil and industrial engineering program. Similarly, Senator Hinojosa obtained additional funds for Del Mar Community … Continue reading →

Statement from Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa on Federal Court Decision to Block the New Congressional Map

Posted on November 19, 2025 by hinojosa

Yesterday, in a two-to-one ruling from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division, Judge Jeffrey V. Brown delivered the Court’s opinion that blocks the use of the Texas Congressional map approved during a special session in August. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting, opposed the passage of House Bill 4, the legislation that changed the congressional district boundaries for the 2026 election cycle.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement regarding the ruling:

“I applaud the Court’s decision to block the mid-decade redistricting plan that was approved during the special session earlier this year. I strongly opposed this proposal because it was the intent of the Trump administration to silence the voices of our U.S. citizens based on the color of their skin—whether they are Black, Brown, or Asian. The congressional districts that were redrawn were all districts represented by Black and Hispanic members of Congress.

In the ruling, Judge Brown noted that the U.S. Department of Justice letter to Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton contained the “legally incorrect assertion that four congressional districts in Texas were ‘unconstitutional’ because they were ‘coalition districts.’” I made that same argument in committee and on the Senate floor. I repeatedly stated that the DOJ letter misrepresented and distorted the Fifth Circuit’s opinion in Petteway v. Galveston County in that the Fifth Circuit never declared minority coalition districts unconstitutional.

The goal of the Trump administration and the DOJ was clear: to wipe out four congressional districts that were represented by elected officials elected by their minority-majority voters. That is targeted racial discrimination. As I argued during the special session, our best chance of defeating this discriminatory redistricting plan was through the courts.

Today, the federal court ruled correctly. While this ruling can and will likely be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, we must continue working together to support our democratic values. As of now, the congressional district boundaries that were approved in 2021 remain in effect.”

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