House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) opened the door to more Democratic redistricting efforts across the country, as he pledged to respond “appropriately” to any similar actions undertaken by Republicans.
“Texas acted in a way to try and rig the congressional maps, so they could add a couple of different seats to the Republican column,” Jeffries said in an interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“California responded forcefully … and we will continue to respond, when necessary, across the country,” he continued. “Right now, this has happened in Texas. California has responded. Let’s see what comes next.”
Jeffries said he has been in touch with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and other legislative leaders in the state about redistricting efforts but sidestepped a question on whether there are any immediate plans to respond.
“There’s a plan to respond as appropriately in New York and in other parts of the country as the circumstances dictate,” he said when asked.
“House Democrats are going to respond from coast to coast and at all points in between, as has been done in California, forcefully, immediately, and appropriately to make sure that Donald Trump cannot steal the midterm elections,” Jeffries said.
The Texas Legislature over the weekend approved its newly redrawn maps, and Republicans have pledged to move forward with plans for redistricting in several other states, including Florida, Indiana and Missouri, signaling a new phase of the fight.
Democrats have launched a redistricting effort in California, and other blue states have signaled an interest in undertaking a similar endeavor.
