BATON ROUGE, La. — The House and Governmental Affairs Committee, likely the first stop for debate on new U.S. Congressional maps heard from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
The state attorney general told members the matter is in litigation.
Federal Judge Shelly Dick has said the state’s six current Congressional districts violate the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters.
African Americans make up 33% of the state’s electorate.
“The courts nevertheless have told us to draw a new map,” Murrill said. “They have indicated that we have a deadline to do that, or Judge Dick will draw the map for us.”
AG Murrill admitted it won’t be easy for lawmakers to agree on a new map that includes a second majority-minority district before the Jan. 30 deadline.
“The United States Supreme Court has not made it an easy task,” Murrill said. “They’ve given you some directives that seem to be, to not give you a lot of clear lines for doing your job.”
Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans disagreed saying the task is simple if you consider the math and the law.
“What makes it difficult is when we are choosing not to do what is right, not to do what is fair for all of the citizens that we represent,” Newell said.
As lawmakers filed into the state capitol for the start of the special session, members of the Legislative Black Caucus gathered in support of a second minority district.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) said kicking the matter back to the courts is not the answer.
"We are willing to work with anyone who is working to create a map that establishes two majority-minority districts that give black candidates a meaningful opportunity to win and serve,” Carter said.
Drawing new lines could cause two incumbent members of Congress to face each other in the next election.
It could also carve up an incumbent district to create a new one the judge will accept.
Bills are now being filed with committee hearings set to begin Tuesday morning.
The 8-day special session must end by next Tues., Jan. 23.
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