Louisiana lawmakers advanced a new congressional map on Wednesday that eliminates one of the state's two majority-Black districts, shifting the balance to favor Republicans in five of six districts. The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the map in a 4-3 party-line vote after a nearly 10-hour hearing. The new map consolidates the remaining majority-Black district into a single stretch from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, potentially pitting Democratic Reps. Troy Carter and Cleo Fields against each other. The Supreme Court struck down the previous map last month, ruling it was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
The new map, proposed by Sen. Jay Morris (R-West Monroe), replaces the previous 4-2 Democratic-leaning map with a 5-1 Republican advantage. The lone Democratic-leaning district now includes parts of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, dissolving Fields' majority-Black district. The committee rejected an alternative Democratic proposal that would have maintained two competitive districts for Democrats.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Supreme Court Ruling and Legal Implications
The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais declared the existing map unconstitutional, limiting the extent lawmakers could consider race in redistricting. Republican leaders in Southern states have since adjusted their maps under the new guidelines. Gov. Jeff Landry suspended U.S. House party primaries the day after the ruling.
Partisan Reactions and Political Fallout
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) defended the new map, stating it adheres to the Supreme Court's ruling. 'You can't have an election on an unconstitutional map,' he said. Meanwhile, Sen. Sam Jenkins (D-Shreveport) called the map a 'political power grab.' Rep. Cleo Fields vowed to fight the new map, arguing it undermines fair representation for Louisiana's diverse population.
Public and Procedural Context
Public comment on the GOP-led map stretched into the early hours of Wednesday, according to CBS New Orleans affiliate WWL. The committee's vote came after a marathon session that began Tuesday evening. The map now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.