The Senate has passed a short-term measure to keep federal agencies funded into early December and avoid a government shutdown during campaign season.
This week's major action came in Southern states, with a significant state court ruling in Virginia and continued fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month.
A Supreme Court decision striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana has amplified an already intense national redistricting battle.
Virginia voters have approved a congressional redistricting plan plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year's midterm elections.
"I don't put anything past Donald Trump in trying to hold on to power," Padilla told Eyewitness News in a one-on-one interview last week.
Lawmakers are leaving Washington in record numbers.