Missouri Republicans Pass Redistricting Plan, Aim for 7-1 House Majority with Trump's Backing
Missouri Republicans passed a Trump-backed redistricting plan, aiming for a 7-1 U.S. House majority by targeting Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat. Governor Kehoe is expected to sign it, facing a referendum.
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Overview
- Missouri Republican lawmakers passed a new congressional redistricting plan, backed by President Trump, aiming to secure an additional U.S. House seat for the GOP.
- The plan shifts boundaries to favor Republicans, specifically targeting Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat to establish a 7-1 GOP-leaning majority in the state's U.S. House delegation.
- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, is expected to sign the approved map into law, which would officially give the GOP an additional seat in Congress.
- Opponents, including Democratic lawmakers, criticize the map as a partisan power grab and plan to use a referendum petition to force a statewide vote on the new redistricting plan.
- This redistricting effort in Missouri could significantly impact the control of the U.S. House, as Republicans seek to maintain their slim majority against Democratic efforts to gain seats.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Missouri redistricting story neutrally, focusing on factual developments and presenting a balanced array of perspectives. They detail the legislative process, the national context of similar efforts, and include arguments from both Republican proponents and Democratic opponents, as well as expert analysis and public reaction, without adopting a particular narrative.
"The new map would split up the Kansas City area, making longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's district more conservative."
CBS News"The new map will carve up Cleaver’s district in the Kansas City area in the hopes of creating one new red seat there."
NBC News"The revised map passed the Republican-led state House earlier this week as the focal point of a special session called by Kehoe that also includes a proposal making it harder for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments to win voter approval."
Associated Press"The move is part of a by Trump's call on Republicans to make more winnable voting maps."
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FAQ
The new redistricting plan redraws congressional boundaries to favor Republicans, aiming to flip Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat and ultimately secure seven of eight U.S. House seats for the GOP in Missouri.
President Donald Trump pressured GOP-led states, including Missouri, to enact new congressional district lines before the 2026 midterm elections to strengthen Republican advantages, influencing Missouri Republicans to support the redistricting plan.
Opponents, including Democratic lawmakers, characterize the plan as a partisan gerrymander that dilutes the political power of Black voters and urban communities, and they are organizing a referendum petition effort to force a statewide vote on the map.
Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, supports the redistricting plan and is expected to sign it into law, officially granting the GOP an additional congressional seat.
The redistricting plan may be subject to a statewide vote if opponents gather enough signatures to trigger a referendum, and it faces criticism and potential legal challenges over its fairness and impact on minority voters.
History
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6 articles