Missouri approves Trump-supported redistricting plan that may benefit Republicans : NPR
The Missouri has adopted a redistribution plan, the last of a series of movements launched by Trump’s call on the states led by the GOP to redraw their Congress cards to help maintain the narrow majority of the Party Chamber.
Scott Simon, host:
The Missouri has joined the ranks of states responding to President Trump’s call to help the Republicans win the mid-term elections next year. On Friday, the Legislative Assembly adopted a new Congress card which would transform a seat held by a democrat in a republican district, as asked by Trump. This occurs after Texas has passed a card that could help Republicans win five additional seats. California and certain other States led by Democrats move to counter this in what turns into a national redistribution race.
We are now joined by Jason Rosenbaum by St. Louis Public Radio. Jason, thank you for being with us.
Jason Rosenbaum, byline: Thank you for doing me.
Simon: Help us understand the debate that took place in Missouri. Why did the Republicans said they succeeded?
Rosenbaum: Well, the Missouri Republicans have told me that since the State has elects the candidates of the GOP at a legislative level on the level of the State and the State, the Congress map should reflect the political domination of the party. In fact, Governor Mike Kehoe calls this map of the Missouri’s foreground. Many GOP legislators, such as the President of the Senate, Pro Tem Cindy O’Lauughlin, say that their motivation is not to let the Democrats take control of the Chamber.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
Cindy O’Laughlin: When the inhabitants of Missouri say, do we want to be sure that we send as many republicans to the congress as possible so that President Trump can finish his four years in a strong way? – The answer to this is yes.
Rosenbaum: GOP legislators as O’Laughlin succeeded in the current card only three years ago. And at the time, his republican colleagues did not want to target the member of the Democrat Congress Emanuel Cleaver. They feared that this makes the surrounding districts more competitive. But Trump himself called the Missouri Republican Senators earlier this week to encourage them to pass the new lines. And many legislators support their voters like Trump and will support the house’s maintenance in the hands of the GOP.
Simon: What kind of resistance did they get?
Rosenbaum: Democrats in particular have excited the Republicans for having been submitted to Trump and trying to avoid Cleaver, a legislative veteran who was the first black mayor of Kansas City. Kansas City legislators, such as the senator from the State Barbara Washington, say that the card will ultimately be silent and dilute the voice of urban Missourians.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
Barbara Washington: One side represents the interests of the people and the voices of the people. And another party represents the interests of power, because they want to be in power more than they want to help their communities.
Rosenbaum: Now, the Governor of Missouri should sign it soon, but the card is not necessarily a business concluded. A group called People Not Politicians plans to bring together more than 100,000 signatures over a three -month period to put the card for a state -of -scale vote. And if they get these signatures, the card can only come into force only after the 2026 electoral cycle. Meanwhile, two prosecutions have already been filed against the new card.
Simon: Now, Jason, States legislatures, of course, have the power to redirect. But it happens at an unusual moment, right?
Rosenbaum: It’s very unusual. In fact, almost all states are continuing the redistribution directly after a census, which arrives early in the decade. But with the Republicans holding a very small majority in the House, Trump and other Republicans believe that the party must do everything possible before the elections of next year. If the Democrats take the room, they could block its program and launch investigations into its administration.
Simon: Do you know what other states, Jason, could look at this now?
Rosenbaum: The Great is California, in particular to counter the five seats in Texas which are now easier to win for the Republicans. The Democrats of California ask the voters to approve a card that would help them win five seats there. In the meantime, Trump asks Indiana, Florida and other Republican states to pass new cards to help the GOP, and others could come.
Simon: Jason Rosenbaum by St. Louis Public Radio, thank you very much.
Rosenbaum: Thank you for inviting me.
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