Monday, January 22, 2024

What are La. lawmakers drinking?

WASHINGTON – In Baton Rouge, newly-elected GOP Gov. Jeff Landry, a Trump supporter, is backed by veto-proof Republican supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature, has sped through legislation likely to make the reelection of Republican U.S. Rep. Garret Graves untenable. 

In Washington, House Republicans who hold a majority that is currently just a single seat (219-218) over the minimum are wondering what Louisiana legislators are drinking. 

The bill that would dump Graves got approval on Jan. 19. 

The Capital region, which Graves represents, would be split between four congresspersons. 

The current boundaries of Graves' 6th Congressional District would grow west to pick up enough Black voters to turn it into a second majority-minority district – likely making Graves short-lived. 

The rush is ahead of Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, of Baton Rouge, who will hold a trial on the merits of the existing congressional district map, which resulted in the election of five White Republicans and one Black Democrat, before conceding to a district that likely would elect a second Democrat. 

The judge already has opined that a second district was needed. Graves says he doesn’t think the courts will approve the new map. (NOLA.com 01/21/24) New Garret Graves district befuddles U.S. House Republicans | Local Politics | nola.com

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