Republican lawmakers in Georgia have put forth a congressional map proposal that has stirred up controversy, as Democrats argue it violates a federal court order. The proposed map, introduced last Friday, aims to maintain a 9-5 Republican majority for House seats while accommodating a court order to create a new west Atlanta district.

The state Senate voted 32-22 on Tuesday to pass the proposal, which will now proceed to further debate in the state House. This map would also bring changes to district boundaries for both the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

The move comes after Judge Steve Jones ruled in October that the current congressional boundaries in Georgia unjustly limit the voting power of Black voters, particularly in west Atlanta. As a result, he ordered the creation of a west Atlanta district. This decision prompted a special legislative session to address the issue.

In attempting to comply with the court's order without losing a House seat to Democrats, the state's Republican Party has opted to redraw Rep. Lucy McBath's (D-Ga.) northeast Atlanta district and establish a new district in west Atlanta.

However, opponents, including Democrats and anti-gerrymandering activists, argue that the proposed maps fail to address the systemic discriminatory nature of the current district boundaries. They contend that the maps only partially solve the issues highlighted in the federal court order.

McBath's campaign expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed boundaries, signaling their intent to review Judge Jones' ruling before deciding on their next steps. McBath's campaign manager, Jake Orvis, stated, "Regardless, Congresswoman McBath refuses to let an extremist few in the state legislature determine when her time serving Georgians in Congress is done."

Judge Jones will review both the congressional and state Legislature maps, assessing their compliance with his ruling, before they can be put into effect. State Representative Sam Park (D) called the Republican map "unlawful" during the legislative session and urged Judge Jones to reject it. Park also criticized the proposal, stating, "To put it plainly, it seems Republicans are trying to remedy their racial discrimination with partisan gerrymandering."

The debate surrounding the proposed map illustrates the ongoing tension between Democrats and Republicans over redistricting and fair representation. The outcome of this contentious battle will play a significant role in shaping the future political landscape of Georgia.