Louisiana House passes new congressional map, sending bill back to Senate

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Louisiana lawmakers are one step closer to approving a new congressional map after the state House passed Senate Bill 121 on Thursday.

The bill passed the House floor by a vote of 66-35. It now heads back to the Senate.

RELATED: Louisiana lawmakers change congressional map again in redistricting fight

SB 121 would redraw Louisiana’s congressional districts as part of an ongoing redistricting fight. A House committee previously adopted an amendment to the bill after the Senate passed a different version of the map.

The proposal follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Louisiana’s current congressional map. The court found lawmakers relied too heavily on race when they drew the 6th Congressional District.

The Senate-passed version of SB 121 would reduce Louisiana’s number of majority-Black congressional districts from two to one. Supporters have said the map is meant to strengthen Republican representation, while opponents have criticized it as a political power grab that could dilute Black voting power.

The bill would reshape the 6th Congressional District, currently represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, making it more favorable to Republicans. District 2, represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, would remain the state’s majority-Black district.

Louisiana’s current U.S. House delegation includes four Republicans and two Democrats.

Lawmakers must approve a new congressional map by June 1. If the Senate agrees to the House version, the bill could move closer to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk. If senators reject the House changes, lawmakers would have to work out differences before a final map can be approved.

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