In a significant development, Louisiana lawmakers have passed a congressional redistricting plan that adds a second majority-Black district to the state's U.S. House lineup. The new district, likely at the expense of Republican U.S. Rep. Garret Graves from Baton Rouge, stretches from Caddo Parish in northwest Louisiana to East Baton Rouge Parish, cutting across the center of the state. The plan, a response to a court order in the case Robinson v. Landry, aims to comply with the Voting Rights Act and ensure fair representation for minority voters.

The court order, which was issued by U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, mandated the redrawing of congressional district lines to accommodate a second majority-Black district. The previous congressional map, approved in 2022, had only one majority-Black district. The plaintiffs in the case, represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, argued that the current map did not adequately represent the preferences and interests of Black voters.

The approved plan reflects a compromise between lawmakers and the plaintiffs, and data suggests that the new districts will likely result in the election of candidates preferred by Black voters. While the redistricting plan is expected to be signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, the final approval is still subject to Judge Dick's review.

The changes to the map were not without controversy. In order to create the new majority-Black district, Republican lawmakers decided to sacrifice a safe Republican seat. U.S. Rep. Garret Graves was identified as the Republican most likely to lose his seat, potentially due to his perceived lack of support for House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

The redistricting plan received substantial support from Republicans, in large part because of Governor Landry's endorsement. Many GOP lawmakers were initially hesitant about losing a safe Republican seat, but ultimately preferred a map that was drawn with their political interests in mind rather than one imposed by the courts.

The proposed 6th District, the new majority-Black seat, encompasses parts of the existing 4th and 5th Districts. Republican Representative Johnson holds the 4th District, while Representative Julia Letlow represents the 5th District. Both districts will remain safe Republican strongholds under the new plan.

The approval of the redistricting plan marks a significant milestone in ensuring equitable representation for minority voters in Louisiana. With the plaintiffs' approval and Judge Dick's expected assent, the new congressional map could soon become law, potentially reshaping the state's political landscape.

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