Redistricting goes to Senate

Five Republicans voted against the measure and two Democrats, Reps. Ron Wilson of Houston and Vilma Luna of Corpus Christi, voted for it.

The House voted down an amendment by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, that would have turned the Republican redistricting bill on its head.

Thompson's amendment would have moved six Republican incumbents' residences into districts held by Democrats, including a provision to put DeLay's home into a proposed 64 percent black and Hispanic 18th District along with district incumbent U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Houston.

"I don't think Tom DeLay's going to have a problem running against Sheila Jackson Lee," Thompson said, adding that her map "helps out the minorities and does not dilute the Anglo voting strength."