The Louisiana House voted to override Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of a Republican-drawn Congressional map that has one majority Black District. 70 votes were needed in the 105 member House. Speaker Clay Schexnayder reads the final vote
There are 68 Republicans in the House and all of them voted for the override, plus three independents and Democratic Representative Francis Thompson.
After the House vote, there was an emotional debate in the upper chamber. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson claims supporters of a Congressional map with one majority-minority district are choosing party over people.
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it matters where the Black population lives and the population is not dense enough to create two majority-minority districts and the Voting Rights Act supports their argument…
Cut 15 (12) “…in their population”
A lawsuit is expected to be filed challenging the Congressional District map approved that has one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields expects the courts will toss it out and make the Legislature draw a new map…
The vote in the Senate to override was 27-11. It’s the first time 31 years the Legislature has overridden a governor’s veto.