Zero is a low numberCollin Rugg (@CollinRugg):NEW: Arnold Schwarzenegger claps back at CNN's Jake Tapper, calls out "extreme gerrymandering" in blue states.Tapper: "Do you believe that the Republican Party is starting this?"Schwarzenegger: "No, Jake. There has been gerrymandering going on for 200 years.""There is such https://t.co/ovxGJ6ll8p ...

Section two of the Voting Rights Act has long constrained Republican partisan gerrymanders. If it is gutted, Americans can expect a wave of ambitious remappings https://t.co/gY8D2Iv1nk ...

Right now, states across the nation are facing an increasingly divided political reality as both major parties pursue changes to local congressional maps. This week, Republicans in North Carolina passed a new map, likely giving the party one more seat over Democrats, marking the first swing state so far to be redistricted ahead of next year's midterms. And joining us now is Gayen Drew, political analyst and host of the GD Politics podcast.Welcome, Gayen. Good to see you again. So, as of today, you have Nort ...

And now to North Carolina. This is the newest battleground for the congressional redistricting fight. The state has adopted a new Trumpbacked map that's designed to give Republicans an additional House seat. Now, North Carolina's Republican le state legislature approved the new map on Wednesday, and Republicans already hold 10 out of the state's 14 congressional districts. This new map would give them another seat, making 11 and representing more than 75% of North Carolina's House delegation. The new map pr ...

Case Overview - The case revolves around Louisiana's congressional districts, where a group of white voters are challenging the creation of a second black majority district, arguing it's an unconstitutional racial gerrymander [4][6][7] - Louisiana has six congressional districts, with a black population of approximately one-third, and previously had one majority-black district [2][3][8] - The creation of the second black majority district was initially mandated by a federal court order due to the existing map discriminating against black voters [6][7] Legal and Constitutional Arguments - The plaintiffs argue that the government shouldn't dictate where citizens live or their voting power [4] - The Supreme Court doctrine states that states cannot discriminate when drawing districts but also cannot excessively use race [9] - The Supreme Court has taken a "colorblind approach" in the past, but its application is inconsistent [14][15] Potential Impacts and Implications - The outcome of the case could significantly impact redistricting and gerrymandering efforts across the country, potentially affecting future elections [13][14] - If Section Two of the Voting Rights Act is weakened, it could have "catastrophic" results, particularly in the South, where black representation has been achieved through VRA opportunity districts [10][11] - The case's implications extend beyond Louisiana, affecting the right to vote for underrepresented communities nationwide [12]

Government Shutdown & Congressional Function - The House of Representatives is not in session despite the government shutdown, frustrating some members who believe they should be working to resolve the situation [1][3] - The speaker's rationale for not being in session is based on a previous vote for a seven-week continuing resolution, which some members find insufficient given the current crisis [2] - The shutdown has halted oversight hearings, legislative markups, and other scheduled activities of the House [5] - There are concerns about Congress ceding its legislative authority to the executive branch, particularly regarding the movement of funds during the shutdown [15][17][18] Impact of Shutdown - The shutdown is causing hardship for many, including potential missed paychecks for military personnel, furloughs for over 1 million federal employees, and disruptions to services like national parks [7][9][10] - The White House is attempting to mitigate the impact by finding funds to pay military members, but this is viewed as a short-term solution [7][9] Potential Solutions & Political Considerations - There is a call for bipartisan negotiations, including discussions on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, to find a way out of the shutdown [11][12][13] - A one-year extension of ACA subsidies is suggested as a possible pathway to resolving the impasse, though broader healthcare reforms are also needed [19][20] - The speaker is urged to engage with Senate leaders to find a resolution [11] Redistricting Concerns - There is bipartisan opposition to mid-decade redistricting efforts, with concerns about gerrymandering and its negative impact on representation [26][29][30] - A bill to ban mid-decade redistricting is proposed, with potential for passage if brought to a vote [25][26]

Political Landscape & Resistance - The discussion highlights concerns about an "authoritarian takeover" and the collapse of systemic guardrails [1][2] - It emphasizes the need to fight against these threats, not just warn about them [2] - Public opinion is largely against the actions of Donald Trump, suggesting potential for a strong resistance movement [3] - The resistance should target not only Trump but also the institutions perceived as failing [3] - The power of the people, demonstrated through actions like checkbook activism, can influence decisions [4] Long-Term Agenda & Systemic Issues - The current political situation is not just about Donald Trump but is the result of decades of planning [5][6] - Initiatives like Project 2025, driven by groups like the Federalist Society and Heritage Foundation, aim to deregulate industries, weaken the rule of law, and reshape the Supreme Court [6][7] - Gerrymandering is identified as a key tactic used to create an advantage for one party [7][9] - The fight must address both immediate issues and the long-term agenda, which will persist beyond the current administration [8] Strategic Responses - The speaker supports efforts to "fight fire with fire," including Democratic redistricting efforts in states like California [9][11] - The importance of challenging the status quo and engaging in political battles is emphasized [11]

Political Activism and Protests - Americans are protesting against Donald Trump's agenda, including law enforcement actions and immigration policies [1] - Missouri state representatives are staging a sit-in to protest gerrymandering and restrictions on citizen-led ballot initiatives [2][3] - The sit-in protest has reached 68 hours [3] Legislative Actions and Political Maneuvering - President Trump is pressuring Missouri Republican lawmakers to push through new gerrymandered congressional maps [2] - The proposed map would dismantle Missouri's fifth congressional district in Kansas City [2] - Missouri Republicans are accused of taking cues from Donald Trump [6] - A Sunshine request was filed for the governor's office to reveal correspondence between the governor, his staff, and the White House regarding the maps [7] Public Opinion and Voter Sentiment - A poll indicates that 44% of Missouri voters oppose partisan redistricting, while 37% support it, and 19% are unsure [9] - Voters across party lines express a lack of support for the special session, especially given concerns about gas, groceries, and rent [10][11][12] Democratic Response and Support - National Democrats, including Chairman Ken Martin, Congresswoman Corey Bush, Stacy Abrams, David Hog, and Malcolm Kinyatta, have been providing support [21] - Missouri Democrats are actively holding town halls and fighting against the redistricting in committees [10][16]

Electoral Politics & Gerrymandering - Republicans aim to balance the scales against aggressive gerrymandering by Democrats, striving for fairness on a national scale [2][3] - The debate includes the impact of counting undocumented immigrants in the census for congressional apportionment, potentially skewing representation [4][6] - California is estimated to have five additional congressional seats due to counting undocumented immigrants [4] - Ohio lost a representative, highlighting concerns about representation for American citizens [5] Crime & Public Safety - Crime has reportedly dropped over 35% in Washington DC in 10 days [10] - The administration emphasizes empowering local law enforcement to address crime and take back American streets [13][14] - The murder rate in DC is described as rivaling some of the most violent cities globally [9] - Allowing lawlessness to overrun cities is framed as a policy choice [14] Future Political Plans - The Vice President is focused on governing and achieving success for the American people, believing politics will follow [16][19] - The focus is on the 2026 midterm elections before considering the 2028 presidential election [17]

Political Stance & Resistance - The speaker expresses gratitude for California's legislature stepping up to challenge what they perceive as a demise of democracy [1][2] - A representative highlights the importance of resisting government overreach and control, emphasizing the value of liberty and freedom for all [7][8] - The representative refused to comply with what they viewed as an overreach of authority, where Democrats were allegedly tricked into surrendering their freedom [6] California's Response - California Democrats are united in fighting against perceived threats to democracy, with near-unanimous support in both legislative bodies [13] - California is acting to protect its interests, citing concerns about troops in the streets, masked individuals, and the Trump administration's policies [10][11] - California faces a tight timeline to educate and persuade voters, aiming for an overwhelming show of support regarding the issues at stake [15][16] Key Issues & Concerns - Concerns are raised about potential voter suppression and the integrity of upcoming elections [16] - Issues at stake include healthcare access for 23 million people, reproductive rights, and environmental protection [11][12] - The Trump administration is accused of attempting to punish California universities by withholding $1 billion [11]