New congressional map moves to Senate amid internal GOP divisions and legal concerns following recent Voting Rights Act ruling.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Florida lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new congressional map backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, advancing a proposal that could increase Republican representation in the state’s delegation if enacted.
The measure passed the Florida House and now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where debate is expected as some GOP members have already expressed reservations. According to a report by CBS News, Republicans hold a two-thirds majority in the chamber, though several senators have signaled opposition.
The proposal is projected to add four Republican-leaning seats, reshaping the current delegation, which consists of 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one Democratic-leaning seat currently vacant following a recent resignation.
Under the revised map, districts in Tampa, Orlando, and parts of southeastern Florida that have traditionally leaned Democratic would be altered or reduced. At least one district previously identified as majority Hispanic in central Florida would also be redrawn.
The House vote occurred shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the scope of race-based redistricting under the Voting Rights Act, a development that could influence legal challenges to the map. During legislative hearings, questions were raised about whether the new boundaries comply with federal protections for minority voters.
Attorney Mohammed Jazil, who addressed lawmakers during committee proceedings, did not provide a definitive assessment of the map’s compliance with those standards.
Critics have also pointed to potential conflicts with Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment, a constitutional provision adopted in 2010 that sets guidelines for how electoral maps must be drawn, including restrictions on favoring political parties or diminishing minority voting strength.
While the proposal has cleared the House, its path forward in the Senate remains uncertain. At least seven Republican defections would be required to block the measure, and early votes in committee suggest that support within the party is not unanimous.
The outcome of the Senate vote will determine whether the map is implemented ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, where control of congressional seats remains a central focus for both parties.