The Louisiana House approved Senate Bill 121 in a 66-35 vote, advancing a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court found the state’s current districts unconstitutional.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Louisiana House voted Thursday to approve a new congressional redistricting plan, moving the state closer to replacing a map that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in a major voting rights and redistricting dispute.
House lawmakers passed Senate Bill 121 by a vote of 66-35, sending the proposal back to the Senate after changes were made in the House. The bill would redraw Louisiana’s congressional districts following the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision finding that the state’s existing congressional map was an unconstitutional gerrymander.
The ruling led Louisiana to delay its House primaries late last month as lawmakers moved to address the court’s decision.
The cases, State of Louisiana v. Phillip Callais and the related Press Robinson v. Phillip Callais, centered on Louisiana’s congressional district boundaries and the creation of a second majority-minority district. The Supreme Court majority ruled against the state’s previous map, while Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
A video posted to X showed coverage of the House vote as lawmakers advanced the new map.
According to WAFB, the House vote marked another step in Louisiana’s ongoing redistricting fight after the Senate had already passed a different version of the legislation.
“Louisiana lawmakers are one step closer to approving a new congressional map after the state House passed Senate Bill 121 on Thursday,” WAFB reported.
“The bill passed the House floor by a vote of 66-35. It now heads back to the Senate,” the outlet reported.
The proposal would alter the state’s congressional lines after a House committee adopted an amendment to the bill. The amended House version differs from the measure previously approved by the Senate.
“SB 121 would redraw Louisiana’s congressional districts as part of an ongoing redistricting fight,” WAFB reported. “A House committee previously adopted an amendment to the bill after the Senate passed a different version of the map.”
The legislation follows the Supreme Court’s decision invalidating Louisiana’s current map. The court found that lawmakers relied too heavily on race when drawing the 6th Congressional District.
“The proposal follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Louisiana’s current congressional map,” WAFB reported. “The court found lawmakers relied too heavily on race when they drew the 6th Congressional District.”
The Senate version of the legislation would reduce the number of majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana from two to one. Supporters of the plan have said the change is intended to strengthen Republican representation, while opponents have argued it could weaken Black voting power.
“The Senate-passed version of SB 121 would reduce Louisiana’s number of majority-Black congressional districts from two to one,” WAFB reported. “Supporters have said the map is meant to strengthen Republican representation, while opponents have criticized it as a political power grab that could dilute Black voting power.”
The bill now returns to the Senate, where lawmakers must decide whether to accept the House changes or continue negotiations over the new congressional boundaries.
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