California Democrats passed a trio of redistricting bills Thursday, a day after Republicans in the Texas House passed new maps of their own.
Taken together, the package of bills backed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will ask voters to replace the state’s current congressional maps with new ones aimed at netting Democrats five US House seats.
California lawmakers framed their redistricting push as a response to Texas, where Republicans lawmakers are advancing new congressional maps at the behest of President Donald Trump. The Texas Senate could pass their new district lines, which Republicans hope will give the party an additional five US House seats, as soon as this evening.
“We’re giving the American people a fair chance,” Newsom said during a signing ceremony Thursday. “Because when all things are equal, we’re all playing by the same set of rules, there’s no question that the Republican party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year.”
While the Texas maps will take effect once they’re signed into law, the proposed California maps could still be rejected by voters.
