Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Democrats Are So Mad About Ron DeSantis’ Redistricting Play, They’re Blowing Bullhorns Over It

Screenshot/X/FBSaunders

A Florida lawmaker yelled into a bullhorn Wednesday on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives to protest new congressional district maps supported by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis unveiled new maps for the state Monday, which would allow the GOP to gain four seats in the United States House of Representatives. Video posted on X Wednesday showed Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon taking the bullhorn and shouting as voting on the legislation was underway.

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“This is an assault on our democracy! This is a violation of the constitution!” Nixon, who is running for the Democratic nomination in the special election for the U.S. Senate seat currently help by Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, shouted. Nixon admitted she was “out of order” but accused Republicans of an “illegal” redrawing of the districts.

Despite the antics from Nixon, the Florida House of Representatives passed the new congressional map by an overwhelming 83-28 margin, sending it to the Florida state Senate.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map that featured two black-majority districts, saying it was a “racial gerrymander” in a 6-3 decision.

New York redrew its congressional districts after the 2022 midterm elections, creating a map that endangered as many as six out of the 11 Republicans elected to the House of Representatives that year. After Texas drew new congressional maps, California and Virginia initiated ballot referendums to redraw theirs, but Virginia’s new map is being blocked by the courts over allegations the process violated the state’s constitution.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected to help Republicans gain as many as a dozen more seats in the House of Representatives.