CA lawmakers' new congressional maps are almost ready amid Texas redistricting showdown, sources say

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- California Democrats are privately preparing to respond to Texas Republicans' proposed new congressional districts, which would effectively take out five elected House Democrats.

Under the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, state leaders are exploring ways to "fight back" as President Donald Trump and Texas try to bolster the number of safe Republican seats in the U.S. House.

RELATED: Newsom calls GOP's push to redraw TX congressional maps an 'existential crisis to democracy'

Multiple legislative sources familiar with the matter tell ABC7 News that state lawmakers are working on new congressional maps that are "almost ready," as an attempt to offset any action taken by Texas. Newsom told reporters at an unrelated press conference Monday that any legislation California passes would only be triggered by action in Texas.

"Things have changed. We're reacting to that change," he said. "We're working with the legislature on a trigger that if they do move forward, California will not sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away. We'll fight fire with fire."

Unlike Texas - where state lawmakers are responsible for redrawing district lines - California has an independent redistricting commission, designed to remove partisanship from the reapportionment. Voters first signed off on the commission through a 2008 statewide proposition that amended the California Constitution.

To get around the commission, both Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have said California could hypothetically task the Legislature with drawing new congressional maps and ask voters to approve those for a limited period.

MORE: Texas governor orders arrest of Democrats who fled the state over redistricting

"The ultimate determination will be by the people of the state of California. We will offer them the opportunity to make judgment for themselves again," Newsom said. "We would maintain the framework of the independent redistricting commission that I support, that I believe in."

The governor suggested the new maps would only remain in place until 2030, when the commission is scheduled to update the state's voting boundaries following the decennial U.S. Census.

Newsom said he wants this proposal to be on the Nov. 4 special election ballot, as other municipal elections are already scheduled.

Legislators grapple with implications of "redistricting war"

As two of the most populous states in the country, both Texas and California play a central role in determining the balance of power in Congress.

"If these GOP mid-decade redistricting efforts do come to pass, our congressional delegation stands ready to work with our state legislative partners to respond," U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-CA, told ABC7 News.

But the back-and-forth is already prompting bipartisan outcry. Last month, Asm. Alex Lee, D-Milpitas, decried Newsom's redistricting idea as a "betrayal" to the Democratic Party's platform. On Capitol Hill Monday, Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-CA, announced he is introducing a bill that would ban mid-decade redistricting across the country.

RELATED: Newsom's retaliatory redistricting idea gets mixed reaction in California Legislature

"This is potentially igniting a redistricting war," Kiley said. "We can't have a redistricting war. We have bigger issues to worry about as a country. This isn't healthy for our democracy."

The congressman said he plans to ask House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, to support his legislation. ABC7 News asked Kiley if he is concerned that the speaker's allegiance will be to the president on this matter.

"The speaker is the leader of House Republicans, but he's also the leader of the institution. And I think that he needs to show some leadership and recognizing that this is a bad thing for the institution," Kiley said. "Both he and Leader Jeffries need to show some leadership in recognizing this is not a good thing for the members, on either side of the aisle."

California state lawmakers are on summer recess but return on Aug. 18. If they want to get this measure on the November ballot, they'll have just days to finalize the new maps, hold hearings to get public input, and tweak the ballot language.