Indiana House Passes Gerrymandered Map Amid Trump's Threats, Headed to Senate

The Indiana state House, dominated by Republicans, approved a new congressional map on Friday, aligning with expectations. The proposal, supported by a majority of Republican lawmakers, passed with a vote of 57-41. However, the map's final approval still depends on the state Senate, which is scheduled to vote on Monday, December 8.

Republican Representative Ben Smaltz, the author of the map, admitted during a House elections committee session that the plan is "politically gerrymandered," but emphasized that it does not target racial groups.

Unveiled earlier this week, the map is structured to potentially shift two congressional seats currently held by Democrats to Republican control if the Senate approves it later this month. Despite pressure from former President Donald Trump, it remains uncertain whether the Senate has enough support to pass the plan.

For several weeks, the question of whether the Senate would hold a special redistricting session was unresolved. Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray previously stated there were insufficient votes within his caucus to approve the maps. Later, Bray announced that lawmakers would meet early during the 2026 session to reach a "final decision" on redistricting.

Bray explained, "Redrawing Indianas congressional maps mid-cycle has caused significant debate. To settle this matter, the Senate will reconvene during the 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision on any redistricting proposals from the House."

Trump has actively pressured Indiana Republicans to support his redistricting agenda, warning of primary challenges for those who oppose it. In a Truth Social post, he praised the House vote and urged the Senate to approve the map, promising support for loyal candidates while threatening to back challengers against dissenters.

This battle in Indiana is part of Trumps broader effort to influence redistricting in Republican-led states ahead of the 2026 midterms, aiming to maintain GOP control of the U.S. House. While the Supreme Court recently paused a lower court ruling against Texas gerrymandered map, other state-level attempts, such as in Utah and Kansas, have been blocked.

Author: Aiden Foster