Federal authorities has entered the fray in a lawsuit initiated by California Republicans, aiming to block the California's recently passed congressional redistricting map.
This court case, submitted to a US district court, challenges the redistricting plan supported by the state's Democratic governor, which was created in response to a GOP redistricting effort in Texas.
"The state's redistricting scheme represents a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," declared the nation's top law enforcement official.
The Democratic party have expressed confidence that the new maps will survive legal scrutiny.
"These opponents were defeated in the election and they are likely to face defeat in the judicial system," stated a representative for the governor.
Constitutional Challenge
The legal challenge asserts that California's map wrongfully utilized race as a factor to significantly advantage Latino communities in violation of the federal constitution.
"Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is exactly what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50," stated a senior official from the Civil Rights Division.
Political Context
The legal battle represents the major response by Democrats in the continuing political battle that started with Texas and has spread across various parts of the country.
Unlike other states, where Republican state legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, California's plan needed voter approval, which it obtained with approximately two-thirds of the vote.
National Implications
The Democratic party need to gain just a small number of GOP-controlled House seats to gain majority of the chamber in next year's congressional elections.
The political group controlling the majority will shape the final years of the current administration, deciding if a GOP-controlled legislature will continue to deliver its political program or face resistance, congressional probes and potential further challenges.
- Legal representation for the plaintiffs is being provided by a well-known legal group
- The managing partner currently holds the position of senior DOJ official
- However, this individual has been removed from the current litigation
