Judge blocks Louisiana AG from defending contested congressional map amid Voting Rights Act debate

In Louisiana, a coalition of Black lawmakers sought a court order to compel Attorney General Liz Murrill to defend a congressional district map that created two majority-Black districts, but a judge rejected the attempt citing separation of powers. The lawmakers argue Murrill should represent the state's interests, as the map aligns with the state's racial demographics and was initially defended by her, but she now challenges race-based redistricting, a stance linked to broader Republican efforts, including those encouraged by President Donald Trump, to redraw maps favoring GOP seats. Meanwhile, in Texas, federal court hearings are underway over the 2025 congressional map redrawn by Republicans, which plaintiffs claim was racially gerrymandered to dilute minority voting power. Expert witnesses, including data scientists and political analysts, testified that the map's design intentionally considered race, packing minority voters into fewer districts to maximize Republican advantage, which would violate the Voting Rights Act. Texas state attorneys defend the map as a partisan gerrymander, which courts have generally allowed, while racial gerrymandering remains illegal. The U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming rulings and ongoing litigation in both states could lead to significant changes in congressional district maps affecting minority representation and party control in the House.