A conservative news site published an interview with a woman who alleges a 17-year affair with the Southlake representative, who said this week he wouldn’t seek reelection.

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Southlake Republican, responded after a report published by conservative website Current Revolt.

Speaking to two dozen state lawmakers, a packed hearing room, two overflow rooms and a robust virtual waiting room, Texans condemned the Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional map at the House redistricting committee’s first public meeting on Thursday.

Lawmakers held hearings in Austin on some of the highest-profile items on the agenda, including flood response, redistricting and regulating THC.

The legislature is meeting in special session to draft plans that could give the party five more seats in Congress.

As Texas, under pressure from President Trump, considers redrawing congressional lines to boost GOP numbers in Congress, California considers responding by boosting the state's Democratic districts.

Representative Moran introduced the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act, which requires the GAO (Government Accountability Office) to identify gaps in coverage and make recommendations to improve early detection of severe weather. The GAO would also have to identify funding choke points that prevent the purchase and deployment of modern radars.

In a statement, Capriglione admitted he’d had an affair “years ago”, but said the other allegations are “categorically false and easily disproven.” He added that he had “never, nor would I ever, pay for an abortion.

Texas lawmakers could change their legislative districts at the urging of President Donald Trump to pick up GOP seats in Congress.