News Article | September 18, 2026
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Texas will have 14 new members in its U.S. House delegation when the 120th Congress convenes Jan. 3, and voters chose a Democrat for the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1988. Results are unofficial, but every Texas congressional race has a projected winner. Below is where the delegation landed and what it means for counties.
Key Dates
- Nov. 9: Congress returns for the lame duck session.
- Dec. 1: Early-bird registration deadline for the National Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference.
- Dec. 11: Government funding, surface transportation and the National Flood Insurance Program expire.
- Jan. 3: 120th Congress convenes.
- Feb. 20-23: NACo Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
Based on projected results, Republicans will hold 24 of Texas’ 38 House seats and Democrats will hold 14, a one-seat Democratic gain from the previous 24 Republicans, 13 Democrats and one vacancy. Three seats changed parties:
- TX-15: Democrat Bobby Pulido defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
- TX-23: Democrat Katy Padilla Stout won the seat left vacant when Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned in April.
- TX-32: Republican Jace Yarbrough won a redrawn district.
U.S. Senate: Talarico Wins Sen. Cornyn’s Seat
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton by about 10 points. Paxton had beaten U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff.
Close Races: Results Are Still Unofficial
Four Republican wins came in under three points: TX-2 (Steve Toth), TX-5 (Rep. Lance Gooden), TX-27 (Rep. Michael Cloud) and TX-32 (Jace Yarbrough). Race calls in this update come from the Associated Press, NBC News and Decision Desk HQ.
The Texas Secretary of State posts unofficial results here. TAC also has a tracker available upon request to William Chapman.
Government Funding: Dec.11 Deadline
The current continuing resolution (CR), signed Sept. 2, funds the federal government through Dec. 11. None of the 12 fiscal year 2027 spending bills have been enacted. The election shifts the likely outcome. Any full-year package would need Democratic votes in the Senate, and analysts expect Democrats to give little ground before their new majorities are seated in January. That makes another short-term CR into early 2027 the most likely path.
The options are:
- Another short-term CR into the new Congress.
- A year-end omnibus or package of bills.
- A full-year CR.
The CR also extended surface transportation programs through Dec. 11. The House committee bill, BUILD America 250 (H.R. 8870), has not received a floor vote, and Senate committees have not marked up their own bills. With both chambers changing hands, expect another extension and a fresh start on reauthorization in the new Congress under new leadership. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves is retiring; Rep. Troy Nehls, who chairs the House Aviation Subcommittee, is leaving; and Sen. Ted Cruz will hand the Senate Commerce gavel to the incoming Democratic majority. Counties will have a fresh chance to press priorities such as direct access to funding for local roads and bridges, with new leaders to educate in both chambers.
Farm Bill 2.0 and Other Year-End Items: Expect Extensions
The House passed Farm Bill 2.0 by a 224-200 vote in April. With Democrats taking control in January, a full rewrite this year looks unlikely. The more likely outcome is another extension of current farm programs.
Leaders have said they expect to finish the defense authorization bill, and the Water Resources Development Act has bipartisan support. Permitting reform is less certain, since Democrats may wait for their new majorities to seek changes. Measures that cannot pass on their own could be attached to a year-end funding package or pushed into the new Congress.
OMB Uniform Guidance: Delay Likely Rides on the Next CR
The CR prevents the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from issuing or finalizing its proposed rewrite of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), or any substantially similar rule, through Dec.11. A short-term CR usually extends the terms of the current one, so the delay will likely carry forward if Congress passes another stopgap. What happens after that will be settled with the new majorities. Counties should keep preparing internally for potential changes to federal grant administration.
What the New Congress Means for Counties
The 120th Congress convenes Jan. 3 with Democrats projected to control both chambers. Any bill not enacted by then will need to be reintroduced. Committee rosters and leadership will change, including on the Appropriations Committee, which will set the rules for fiscal 2028 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. House Democrats created the current CPF process in 2021, so it is likely to continue, but deadlines and requirements may change.
Texas will have 14 new House offices and a new senator, and the new offices are hiring staff now. This is the time to build relationships with incoming offices and brief members on county priorities. Counties considering a fiscal 2028 request should keep identifying projects and gathering supporting documentation. If you would like help connecting with a new office, please contact William Chapman so TAC can help coordinate.
Register Now: 2027 NACo Legislative Conference
NACo’s 2027 Legislative Conference will take place Feb. 20-23 at the Washington Hilton. The conference brings about 2,000 county officials to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress, congressional staff and executive branch officials.
Coming just weeks after the new Congress is sworn in, this year’s conference offers an important opportunity to introduce your county’s priorities to new and returning offices.
- Registration rates: County and state association members can register at the early-bird rate through Dec. 1. The advance registration rate is from Dec. 2 through Jan. 20.
- Advocacy Day: Tuesday, Feb. 23, is County Advocacy Day, followed by an evening reception on Capitol Hill.
- Register: 2027 NACo Legislative Conference