Democrats said the walkout inspired a national protest against GOP redistricting. But it also greased the path for other bills they oppose and unified Texas Republicans.

The battle between states attempting to redraw congressional maps mid-decade is now being called the “redistricting war.” The results could upend the midterm elections and determine control of the U.S. House. At the center of this fight are the nation’s two states with the most members in Congress: Texas and California.