Reversal of Trump census order aids Texas

Move will give state more federal funds, House seats

WASHINGTON — Hours after taking office, President Joe Biden handed Texas a huge gift that went mostly unnoticed, overshadowed by more controversial moves on climate, public health and the border wall.

He reversed Donald Trump’s policy of excluding unauthorized immigrants from the census count used to carve up the country into congressional districts.

Texas has almost 2 million such residents out of nearly 30 million — enough extra people to bring billions in federal largesse over the next decade, and add considerably to its clout in the U.S. House.

“Don’t get me wrong; I support President Trump, and I appreciate what he was trying to do, but this is good for Texas,” said state Rep. Phil King, a Republican from Weatherford who chaired the redistricting committee the past two years. “It probably means the difference between getting one and three new congressional seats.”

Lloyd Potter, Texas’ state demographer, took it a step further.

Biden’s new policy isn’t just a gift for Texas. It’s a gift especially for Texas Republicans, because they control the Legislature and governor’s mansion, and wield the knife that cuts the growing pie.

“Whatever party’s in power maximizes the number of seats for the party,” Potter said. Under Trump’s proposal, “We definitely wouldn’t have gotten three. Maybe as few as one. It would certainly have diluted our representation.”

With all immigrants included, Texas is almost certain to end up with 39, maybe even 40, seats in the U.S. House starting in the 2022 elections.