Democrats are reacting strongly to the high court’s Voting Rights Act ruling that limited redistricting on a racial basis.
After the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against unconstitutional gerrymandering by race, several Democrats have spoken out against the Court and what the ruling means for future elections in the United States.
A redistricting case out of Louisiana reached the Supreme Court after the state created a district that would add a second primarily-black district to its map.
The Court threw out the map as an unconstitutional gerrymander on the basis of race. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion.
The ruling set off a flurry of redistricting attempts across the country. Democrats have reacted strongly to the Court’s decision.
“It’s devastating. It’s a devastating blow,” said Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Clarke is a Democratic representative from New York.
“This is an open invitation to every Republican state to try to redraw their maps before this election towards partisan ends,” said Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.).
The reactions came from Democratic leadership as well.
At a Congressional Black Caucus press conference, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) spoke out against the ruling.
“Today’s decision by this illegitimate Supreme Court majority strikes a blow against the Voting Rights Act and is designed to undermine the ability of communities of color all over this country to elect their candidate of choice. But we’re not here to step back, we’re here to fight back,” he said.
“We’re not powerless and we’re not backing down. The Congressional Black Caucus is prepared to take any measure necessary to protect Black voters in this country,” Rep. Clarke said.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) also spoke out against the ruling, suggesting that Democratic states redraw their congressional maps as well.
“The Democratic caucus has tried to pass nonpartisan gerrymandering for ten years. Republicans have rejected it, and so we have to all abide by the same rules,” she said.
Progressive Congresswoman Summer Lee took to social media to show strong opposition to the landmark ruling as well.
