Civil Rights Groups Sue to Block Texas GOP Congressional Map

Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging Texas' new congressional map, alleging it violates the Voting Rights Act by engaging in racial gerrymandering that dilutes the voting power of Black and Brown communities. The map, passed by Republicans in the Texas Legislature and expected to be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, seeks to create five additional Republican House seats, prompting accusations that it is racially motivated to reduce Congressional representation for Black voters. NAACP President Derrick Johnson emphasized that despite Texas being only 40% white, white voters control over 73% of the state's congressional seats, highlighting the map’s discriminatory intent. Damon T. Hewitt, president of the Lawyers’ Committee, described the map as "intentionally harmful" and unconstitutional, calling for fair representation for minority voters. Democrats argue the map fractures communities of interest and further tilts the balance toward Republicans under pressure from President Trump and the White House, while Republicans accuse Democrats of hypocrisy given the gerrymandering issues in states they fled to during a quorum break. The ongoing litigation follows precedent where courts have required redrawing of racially discriminatory districts, including a recent Mississippi Supreme Court map ruling.