First look at Indiana's proposed congressional map
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
After months of debate, we have a map.
Why it matters: The draft congressional map, released Monday by Indiana House Republicans, would redraw all of the state's congressional districts, splitting Indianapolis into four districts and delivering two more GOP seats to President Trump.
State of play: Despite Democrats' effort to break the quorum, the House convened Monday to introduce House Bill 1032, the redistricting bill being carried by Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
Friction point: Lawmakers fought over whether they should even be in session, seemingly in violation of House rules that say the agreed-upon time for reconvening can't be changed without agreement from the House speaker and minority leader.
- Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta said he did not agree to change the date, which had been set for Jan. 5.
Yes, but: Indiana code says the session can reconvene "either on a certain day fixed by concurrent resolution or when the gavel of each house falls in the presence of a quorum, regardless of whether a certain date has been fixed."
- Republicans argued that code supersedes the House rules.
Zoom in: Under the House's proposed map, Marion County would be divided among four congressional districts — the 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th.
- Currently, the northern two-thirds of Marion County is the entirety of the 7th district (represented by Democrat Andre Carson) and the southern third is part of the 6th.
- The new map would also move Bloomington, the progressive home of Indiana University, into the 8th District to keep it separated from Indianapolis.
- Northwest Indiana would be split into two districts to break up the 1st District, currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan. The proposed 1st District would go from covering just two counties — Lake and Porter — to including nine counties.
What they're saying: "The map before us is not a tweak, not a correction, not a refinement," said Rep. Blake Johnson (D-Indianapolis). "It is an egregious gerrymander, one of the most aggressive this chamber has ever considered."
- Johnson said dividing Marion County into four districts would make it harder for constituents to be represented by someone who shares their interests, when the districts would be primarily rural but contain portions of the state's largest urban center.
The other side: House Speaker Todd Huston said his caucus has the votes to pass the new map, which he believes is necessary to ensure Indiana is well-represented in Congress.
What's next: The public will get its first chance to weigh in on the proposal when the redistricting bill is heard in the House's Elections and Apportionment Committee at 9am Tuesday.