The Republican-controlled Texas legislature is expected to pass a new congressional map creating five new winnable seats for the GOP.

Texas Republicans are likely to pass their redistricting plans on Wednesday following weeks of Democrat protests

The Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked off a heated debate over a new congressional map creating five new potential GOP seats that is expected to pass the chamber later in the day as part of a growing national redistricting battle.

Former President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he supported a proposal by California Democrats to redraw congressional lines in response to a Republican-led push in Texas to gain additional US House seats but expressed unease with the broader effects of political gerrymandering.

The Texas House will vote on new congressional redistricting maps on Wednesday. The proposed maps would create five new Republican-leaning districts. Democrats oppose the changes, alleging racial discrimination in the new maps.

Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting.