Testimony will be heard from those in charge of managing rivers as well as emergency managers and first responders about the flash flooding that killed at least 135 people.

Texas lawmakers are meeting for the first time to address the deadly July 4 floods that killed at least 135 people

Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and representatives from the Upper Guadalupe River Authority are expected to testify.

Texas Democrats showed up Monday for a special session but left open the possibility of walking out as a means to derail an unusual summer redrawing of U.S. House maps that would help protect Republicans’ slim majority in the 2026 elections.

Districts in Houston, Austin, Dallas and South Texas could be part of the push to create up to five new Republican seats in Congress.

With few options to prevent the Republican majority from passing a new congressional map, Democrats threatened to filibuster, delay hearings and even break quorum.