Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map as part of a special session that kicks off later this month, as the GOP seeks to retain its narrow US House majority after next year’s midterm elections.

Redistricting is one of 18 items on the agenda during the Texas legislative special session that begins July 21.

The statewide death toll from the catastrophic flooding in Central Texas earlier this month has risen to 135 and dozens more remain missing, Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday. Abbott provided an update on the Texas floods during a news conference while in San Angelo,