Supreme Court Blocks Lower Court Ruling On Texas Districts
WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A divided Supreme Court is blocking lower court rulings that ordered Texas to redraw some congressional and legislative districts.
The 5-4 order issued late Tuesday means the state almost certainly will hold elections next year in districts that were struck down as racially discriminatory.
The court's four liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, would have allowed the redrawing of the affected districts.
"The Supreme Court confirmed what the rest of us already knew: Texas should be able to use maps in 2018 that the district court itself adopted in 2012 and Texas used in the last three election cycles," Attorney General Paxton said. "In 2012 the Supreme Court ordered the district court to adopt lawful maps, and we believe it did so. We are eager to proceed with this case in the high court."
State Representative Rafael Anchia, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chairman, responded with the following statement:
"We look forward to seeking justice before the highest court in the land. After nine findings of intentional discrimination by bipartisan federal judges, SCOTUS has the opportunity to protect Texas voters. MALC believes in the motto that is inscribed above the Supreme Court building ⎼ 'Equal Justice Under Law'."
The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, D.C. (credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)