Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting Meets

The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met this week to hear from elected officials and constituents alike. President Donald Trump (R) has encouraged drawing a new map, urging Republicans to pick up at least five seats, but Democrats are pushing back against the effort.

The committee primarily met this week to listen to constituents, allowing opposing legislators to share their concerns over the effort. Drawing a new map has drawn scrutiny from Democrats as an attempt from Republicans to conduct racial gerrymandering.

At the center of the controversy are districts 9, 18, 29, and 33.

State Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D), the Vice Chair of the Committee, rebuked the effort, calling the attempt “far from anything resembling a practical solution.” He called it “unusual” and unnecessary,” adding that “this process, in my view, has nothing to do with making things fair… this process is aimed at removing Black congressional [members].”

“It’s a power grab at the expense of Black and Brown [representation],” he added, emphasizing that Republicans want to “dismantle those districts because of their racial makeup.”

State Rep. Cody Vasut (R), the Chairman of the Committee, assured that the effort in no way violates the Voting Rights Act, but Democrats are not sold on the assurance.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) testified before the committee, sharing that his constituents are “frantic” over the situation. “Where is the map? Where is it coming from? Who’s drawing it?” his constituents are allegedly questioning.

“The districts are already very gerrymandered,” he lamented, adding that Republicans are trying to make it “3 to 1” when it comes to elections in favor of Republicans. Warning that “there is gonna be a domino effect on other districts,” Rep. Castro argued that the call to draw a new map only services one person – President Trump.

This is something that state Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D) reiterated in her opening statement, commenting, “let’s not allow the White House to put its arms in Texas and ruin our communities.”

Reps. Sylvia Garcia (D) and Greg Casar (D) also testified before the committee, calling for “real hearings and not ‘show hearings’” when it comes to redistricting. “Whatever map gets handed down from the White House may target many districts,” Rep. Casar warned, adding that its effects would dramatically change both Republican and Democrat districts.

Rep. Garcia pressed further, noting that the “short-term gain” would be for Republicans to add five congressional seats.

“The long-term gain is to repeal the Voting Rights Act,” she warned.