The US Supreme Court came to the rescue of Texas Republicans on Thursday, allowing next year’s elections to be held under the state’s GOP-friendly congressional redistricting plan pushed by US President Donald Trump – despite a lower court ruling indicating that the map discriminates on the basis of race.
The justices acted in response to an emergency request from Texas for quick action as qualifying in the new districts has already begun, with primary elections in March.
The Supreme Court’s order suspends the lower court ruling that blocked the map.
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Texas’ congressional map, enacted mid-year at Trump’s request, was designed to give Republicans five additional House seats.
