The U.S. Supreme Court justice at least temporarily paused a lower court’s decision to throw out Texas’ new congressional map to potentially add five seats for Republicans.
Nov. 21 A U.S. Supreme Court justice on Friday night at least temporarily paused a lower court’s decision to throw out Texas’ new congressional map to potentially add five House seats for Republicans.
Justie Samuel Alito, chosen to decide on emergency appeals in the state, granted the request, writing it «is hereby administratively stayed» with a response to the application to be filed by 5 p.m. Monday.
So, this puts the block on hold until the full court decides.
Earlier Friday, state lawyers formally asked for an emergency stay to allow the map borders that were approved this summer by the legislature.
On Tuesday, a three-member panel in the U.S. District Court of Western Texas threw out the mapsin a 2-1 vote.
President Donald Trump had urged Texas to change the maps to favor Republicans.
After the state filed its appeal, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a news release: «Texas engaged in partisan redistricting solely to secure more Republican seats in Congress and thereby better represent our state and Texans. For years, Democrats have aggressively gerrymandered their states and only cry foul and hurl baseless ‘racism’ accusations because they are losing.»
He described the legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in August as Texas’ «Big Beautiful Map.
