House Speaker Mike Johnson has defended the redrawing of congressional maps in his home state of Louisiana, arguing that the process is about fairness, even as critics warn it could dilute Black voters' representation. In an interview on Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream, Johnson addressed the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which declared the state's second majority-Black congressional district an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The decision dealt a significant blow to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Johnson stated, "The Supreme Court issued a long-awaited opinion, and I think it was long overdue, and they stated the obvious, that drawing congressional lines must be fair. You cannot draw lines on the basis of race, and that's what was done in Louisiana." He added, "This brings back fairness and certainty to the system, and I think a lot of states are looking to make sure that their maps are not unconstitutional, like Louisiana's was."
The ruling has prompted swift action in several Republican-controlled states. Louisiana has already begun the process of redrawing its congressional map. Tennessee dismantled its majority-Black 9th district to create a more Republican-friendly map, prompting Representative Steve Cohen, who represented the district for two decades, to announce he will not seek re-election. The Supreme Court also allowed Alabama to redraw its congressional map, which had been blocked by a court order until 2030. In Florida, the Republican-controlled legislature passed a new congressional map just hours after the Callais decision, which Governor Ron DeSantis quickly signed into law.
Black voters in the South have expressed concerns that these actions will undermine their ability to elect representatives of their choice. However, Johnson did not directly address those fears. Instead, he emphasized the need for race-neutral redistricting.
Johnson and former President Donald Trump have encouraged states with Republican legislatures and governors to redraw maps to give the GOP an advantage in the 2026 midterm elections, aiming to protect their slim majority in the House. South Carolina initially resisted redrawing the 6th district, held by Democratic Representative James Clyburn, but Governor Henry McMaster has announced a new legislative session to revisit the issue.
Johnson made these comments while participating in a national day of prayer and thanksgiving in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
