Joseph Ax

(Reuters) – Republicans in Florida approved a revised congressional map that Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed. It gives them a significant advantage in November’s election and eliminates two major-Black districts.

The new boundaries of the district will be effective once DeSantis has signed them into law.

After Black legislators disrupted proceedings with a sit in protest, the House vote took place shortly thereafter. Black Democrats and their white colleagues joined forces to debate the map. They sang “We Shall Overcome”, a civil rights song, which forced Chris Sprowls (Republican House Speaker) to call for a recess.

We cannot permit the removal of Black representation. As Representative Angie Nixon, a Democrat said, “This is a direct assault on democracy.” She live-streamed protest in a T-shirt reading, “Stop The Black Attack.”

Numerous Republicans attacked Democrats for obstructing legislation, they claimed.

“I pray that the House Floor Insurrection will be dealt with properly. “#LockThemUp” was a tweet from Randy Fine, a Republican Representative (NYSE:).

Republicans finally returned to the podium and approved the map with a 68-38 vote from the party line, even though Democrats voiced their objections.

After DeSantis has signed it into law, voting rights organizations are likely to contest the map as an illegal and partisan electoral gerrymander.

Governor, who is considered a leading Republican candidate for 2024’s presidential election, previously vetoed the map that was drawn by Republican legislators and called the legislature to special session to discuss his proposal.

The redistricting process in Florida has been completed by all other states, except for two. This could have a significant impact on the control of Congress.

DeSantis’ map could give Republicans 20 out of 28 state districts. That’s four more than what they have currently. For Republicans to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives’ majority, they will need to flip five national seats. That would enable them to block many of Democratic President Joe Biden’s initiatives.

Advocates argue that the plan breaches the law, as it decreases the number of Black district from 4 to 2. DeSantis argued the map was “race neutral”, and the current map has been racially-gerrymandered in an unethical manner.