Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Republicans’ Rigged Tennessee Congressional Maps

Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“Today, Tennessee joined Florida in passing new congressional districts after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. At President Trump’s urging, Republican Gov. Bill Lee called a special legislative session to adopt a new map dividing Shelby County, including majority-Black Memphis, into three separate districts. These same lawmakers even removed a provision in state law requiring voters to be notified when polling places change after redistricting.

“What the Tennessee Legislature did is tantamount to theft—the theft of fair representation and the deliberate stripping away of political power from Black communities. It is an attempt to silence voices and deny Black voters representation reflective of their lived experiences and the issues impacting their communities every day. The consequences will not be theoretical; they could have life-and-death ramifications for Black families and communities across Tennessee.

“As gas prices and the cost of living continue to rise as a direct result of their policies, poll after poll shows Donald Trump and Republicans headed toward defeat in the midterms. They know their only pathway to victory in November is to rig congressional maps in their favor. Republicans will stop at nothing in pursuit of single-party rule in Washington, but what they did not expect was a Democratic response this forceful.

“We applaud Democrats in the Tennessee State Legislature for fighting back for fair representation for the people of their state. We are working with partners in state legislatures across the South, alongside the legal and civil rights communities, to challenge these maps in court and mobilize our communities to the ballot box.”

POP CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE HAMM CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND CHANGING SUPREME COURT IN RESPONSE TO VOTING RIGHTS CASE

(Statement by Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress on the U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning the Louisiana v. Callais voting rights case.)

This U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana v. Callais voting rights case is the latest salvo in President Trump’s racist war on Black people in this country. It must not go unanswered, and neither should there be a tepid response. There must be strong nationwide condemnation of this outrage. 

Prior to this most recent Supreme Court decision, at the urging of President Trump, Texas and other Republican controlled states started mid-decade redistricting of their congressional maps to increase the number of Republican members of the House of Representatives. 

Normally redistricting takes place at the end of a decade after the completion of the census. Trump and his Republicans sensing that they may lose their majority during the midterm elections have chosen to gerrymander congressional lines now in an attempt to insure the election of a Republican majority to the House. 

In response, a handful of Democratic controlled states like California have taken steps to redraw their congressional maps in order to increase the number of Democratic House members they are sending to Washington. 

This latest Supreme Court decision will intensify the struggle already in progress between the two major parties to acquire a majority of house seats during the midterm elections. The court ruling could result in the loss of as many as 16 Democratic congressional seats now held by African Americans.

There are 435 voting members of the House of Representative. It takes 218 to make a simple majority. Republicans currently control the house having 218 representatives. There are 213 Democrats in the House. 

African Americans hold 61 seats, with 59 voting members and two non-voting delegates. There are 57 Democrats and 4 Republicans. 

It is imperative to defeat the MAGA Republicans in the upcoming midterm congressional elections. Democrats must take back the majority in the house to stem the tide of regressive policies coming out of Congress. 

Democrats should not sit idly by and let Republicans steal the election by redrawing the congressional map to give themselves an election proof majority. Too much is at stake. Democrats must fight back. 

If Republicans can redraw their maps then Democratic controlled states should do the same. Democrats should redraw congressional maps in their states now in order to increase their numbers so that they can have a fighting chance of winning the midterm elections. 

The composition and structure of the Supreme Court must be changed. If we do not do this then the court will be an impediment to progress for the rest of our lives. Several bills have been introduced to reform the court which should be considered. 

Lifetime appointments to the court must end, term limits should be imposed, and the number of justices on the court should be expanded to 13 which equals the number of federal circuit courts of appeals. 

In addition to supporting mid-decade redistricting and restructuring the Supreme Court we must engage in massive voter registration, education and mobilization. This latest ruling came from right wing Supreme Court Justices who were appointed. They were appointed by Republican presidents who were elected. 

Midterm elections are being held this year for members of the House and Senate. We must vote in record numbers to elect Democratic majorities in both houses.

A Democratic majority in the Senate could take action to block Trump appointees to the court should any seats become vacant while he is still in office. With majorities in both houses impeachment proceedings could be initiated against Trump which could slow down and stifle judicial appointments. 

Along with voting we need nationwide protests to mobilize opposition against the appointment of additional right wing justices to the Supreme Court. Protests are a way of drawing attention to and educating people about the damage that this court has done with regards to people’s rights and the democratic process. 

In addition to demonstrations we should also consider engaging in various forms of civil disobedience. Since the court is taking away rights that were won through protest and civil disobedience then we should not be reluctant to employ those tactics to protect and restore those rights. 

We must also consider using boycotts, selective buying, divestment, strikes, and other economic sanctions to compel state governments, federal government, and the courts to stop interfering with, diluting, and attempting to eliminate our ability and right to vote. 

Last year the idea of a general strike gained national attention. General strikes have had degrees of success locally in Minneapolis, Chicago, and other cities. We should continue to discuss and push for a national general strike until we reach the levels of support needed to make it happen.  

We must support federal and state legislation to protect and restore voting rights. At the federal level we should continue to call for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025. At the state level we demand passage of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey.

We must also oppose Trump’s Save Act which would place more restrictions on voting, and his efforts to end mail-in ballots. Same day voter registration legislation should be supported, as should legislation to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, and other bills aimed at getting big money out of elections and the judicial selection process. 

For more information please call People’s Organization for Progress at 973 801-0001.