Former President Barack Obama joined a call with Texas House Democrats on Thursday, praising their decision to leave the state to block Republican-backed congressional maps that could give the GOP several new seats, according to The Hill.

Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder spoke with Texas House Democrats as the lawmakers continued their protest from outside the state. The Democrats left Texas nearly a week ago to deny Republicans a quorum needed to advance a new House map that could add five GOP-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 elections.

Obama “lauded their fight against the Republican efforts to enact an even more egregious gerrymander in Texas ahead of the midterms,” his spokesperson said. “He made clear that they are part of a bigger effort to protect free and fair elections and commended them for inspiring others with their actions.”

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