The Texas Legislature has approved a new congressional map that could give Republicans up to five additional U.S. House seats.
The State Senate passed the measure just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, following more than eight hours of debate. Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the map into law.
Republicans say the redrawn districts are necessary to preserve their narrow majority in Congress. “I’m convinced that if Texas does not take this action, that there is an extreme risk that that Republican majority will be lost,” said state Sen. Phil King, who also stated during debate that he did not review racial data.
Democrats argue the map illegally weakens the voting power of Black and Hispanic Texans and plan to file a lawsuit once the map is signed into law.
During the final vote, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ordered the removal of protesters from the Senate gallery after they shouted “shame” and “fascist.” The chamber adjourned until Tuesday at 3 p.m., according to reporting by The New York Times.
Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the map into law.
The State Senate passed the map just after 12:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, following more than eight hours of debate.
The map is expected to give Republicans up to five additional U.S. House seats. Democrats argue the map weakens Black and Hispanic voting power and plan to sue.
More: Redistricting in Texas is complex, here is what to know about congressional maps
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ordered the removal of protesters from the gallery during the vote. Sen. Phil King defended the map’s legality and said he did not review racial data.
Republicans acknowledge that gaining congressional seats in Texas could be key to preserving their slim majority in the U.S. House during next year’s midterm elections, despite polling that suggests potential setbacks. Other GOP-controlled states are weighing similar redistricting efforts, Reuters reported.
The Texas bill was delayed for two weeks after more than 50 Democratic state House members staged a walkout that denied Republicans the legislative quorum needed. They have returned.
Texas Sen. Phil King, a Republican who sponsored the bill, repeatedly said he did not consider race in the redistricting process and was assured by attorneys that the legislation complies with legal standards.
“From my perspective, why would I use racial data?” King told fellow senators. “Voting history is just much more accurate and is well established as a legal way to draw maps.”
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released the week of Aug. 28 found that most Americans view gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing congressional boundaries to maximize political advantage, as harmful to democracy.
Reuters and New York Times contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas OKs GOP map; Gov. Greg Abbott to sign. Democrats vow lawsuit
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