Louisiana Senate passes redrawn congressional map favoring Republicans

(The Center Square) — The congressional map favoring Republicans took another step Thursday, passing the Senate along party lines. It now heads to the House, where amendments may or may not be made.

Democrats offered closing arguments against the map, but Republicans didn’t budge and all voted in favor of Sen. Jay Morris’ bill. The map passed 27-10.

Morris, R-West Monroe, said that his map was authored “in pursuant of a colorblind constitution,” though admitted that the map was drawn “to maximize a Republican advantage”. Democrats have promised to introduce legal challenges to the map.

If the map passes, it would jeopardize current U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields’ seat. After the hearing, Senate President Cameron Henry spoke with reporters and said that he doesn’t expect Fields to run against Rep. Troy Carter.

“He doesn’t want to pit New Orleans and Baton Rouge against each other,” Henry said.

The Senate spent hours debating Morris’ map and Democrats made many of the ...