(Austin, TEXAS) – Today, the Texas House passed the Texas Republicans’ Congressional redistricting map to second reading by a vote of 80-62.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) issued the following statement in response.
“Redistricting should be about giving Texans the fair and equal representation to which they are guaranteed under the Constitution.
“We all know 95% of our state’s massive population growth was driven by communities of color. And we know 50% of that growth was from Latinos alone. But when given the opportunity to ensure Texas’ two new Congressional seats are representative of that growth, Texas Republicans said ‘no’ once again.
“Just like every other map that has passed through the House during this Special Session, Texas Republicans abused the legislative process every step of the way to push this bill to the Floor.
“Make no mistake — this redistricting plan will undoubtedly land Texas in court once again, and the very Texans who have been denied fair representation will also be on the hook for the legal costs of defending this map.
“Texas Republicans’ Congressional map is an illegal racial gerrymander, and makes clear we need immediate federal action on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to ensure all voters across the county are given the fair representation they deserve.”
