By Associated Press’s MEG KINNARD
Former President Barack Obama has intervened in states’ infrequent mid-decade redistricting attempts, stating that he supports California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to change his state’s congressional maps in opposition to Texas’s redistricting initiatives, which President Donald Trump has supported in an effort to strengthen Republicans’ position in the upcoming elections.
I think Governor Newsom is taking a responsible stance. This will be accountable, he stressed. According to quotes acquired by The Associated Press, Obama stated during a Tuesday fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, “We’re not going to try to completely maximize it.” Only when Texas and/or other Republican states start using these tactics will we take action. This doesn’t take effect otherwise.
Obama stated that if Democrats don’t react well, the White House and Republican-controlled state governments across the nation won’t stop because they don’t seem to believe in the concept of an inclusive, expansive democracy, even though he acknowledged that he doesn’t like political gerrymandering.
The event generated $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its affiliates, one of which has filed and backed lawsuits over GOP-drawn districts in many states, according to organizers. The group’s leader, Eric Holder, who was Obama’s attorney general, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also made an appearance.
The former president’s remarks coincide with the return of Texas lawmakers to Austin this week, reigniting a contentious discussion about a new congressional map that would add five more possible GOP seats. President Donald Trump, who is keen to avoid a midterm loss that would deny his party control of the House of Representatives, prodded the plan. Democratic lawmakers from Texas left the state in protest, delaying a vote for 15 days and preventing the House from having enough members to conduct business.
Five years before the Census count that usually precedes such procedures, Democratic governors, including Newsom, have considered ways to potentially boost their party’s power by redrawing U.S. House district lines, a move spurred on by the Texas predicament.
In an attempt to win control of Congress next year, Democrats in California have unveiled a proposal that could give the state’s dominant political party an additional five U.S. House seats. In 2010, voters in California gave the authority to create congressional maps to an independent commission with the aim of making the process less partisan. With Democrats hoping to win the party 48 of its 52 U.S. House seats, up from 43, the plan could almost eliminate Republican House representatives in the most populous state in the country if voters accept it in November.
Related Articles
-
Appeals court allows Trump to end temporary protections for migrants from Central America and Nepal
-
At least 600 CDC employees are getting final termination notices, union says
-
Gabbard slashing intelligence office workforce by 40%, cutting budget by more than $700 million
-
US attorney will no longer bring felony charges against people for carrying rifles or shotguns in DC
-
Texas can t put the Ten Commandments in certain school districts classrooms, judge says
A committee voted along party lines to advance the new congressional plan, and a meeting over that bill turned into a yelling battle between Democrats and a Republican legislator on Tuesday. California Democrats may proceed without the support of Republicans, and lawmakers must approve a new congressional map and call a special election for November 4 by Thursday in order to receive the necessary number of votes.
According to Newsom and Democratic leaders, they will only ask voters to approve their new maps for the upcoming elections. After the 2030 census, the commission will once again have the authority to draw new maps, but only if a Republican state does it first. Obama praised that short-term schedule.
Obama mentioned Newsom’s interpretation of the California plan when he stated, “And we’re going to do it in a temporary basis because we’re keeping our eye on where we want to be long term.” That strategy, in my opinion, is shrewd and methodical, intended to deal with a specific issue at a certain point in time.
