Redrawn map fiercely opposed by Democrats now moves to state senate, where it is expected to pass
The Republican-controlled Texas house on Wednesday approved a redrawn congressional map requested by Donald Trump and fiercely opposed by Democrats, who led a weeks-long protest to stall the effort that kicked off a redistricting arms race between red and blue states.
With the house’s approval, the measure next goes to the state senate, where it is expected to pass, possibly as soon as Thursday.
Before its passage, Democratic state representatives filed a series of amendments to the bill which were voted down, but used the process to raise objections to taking up redistricting before flood relief; to house rules which require a police escort when leaving the chamber; and to the proposal itself, a mid-decade change which Democrats argue reduces the voting power of people of color in service to Republican political gains and further gerrymanders the state at the cost of democracy.
“We’re ready to meet Trump where he is, which is on a dirt road,” said Democrat Nicole Collier, livestreaming from a bathroom off the legislative floor. “We’re ready to get down and dirty.”
