Posted on 06/09/2005 5:02:46 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A three-judge federal court panel Thursday rejected legal challenges to the 2003 congressional redistricting plan that helped lead to a Republican majority in Texas' delegation in Washington.
Democrats and minority interests had challenged the plan, claiming that it was unconstitutional and produced illegal gerrymandering - manipulating voting districts to give one party an unfair advantage. They also argued that it bamboozled thousands of minority Texans out of their voting rights.
Last year, a panel of federal judges rejected the lawsuit, saying the redrawn congressional districts were constitutional. That decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, which sent the case back to Texas for further review by the panel.
The panel's new decision rejecting the lawsuit likely will not end the case: It is expected to wind up back in the Supreme Court for one more look.
The contested map was created in 2003 by Texas legislators led by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Democrats, realizing the way the districts were drawn favored Republicans, fled the state in two quorum-breaking walkouts as they tried to stop a vote on the map.
But Republicans eventually won the battle. The map was approved, and four of the five Democrat lawmakers targeted for defeat with the new districts lost their U.S. House seats on Election Day.
Leave it to the Democrats to waste even more tax dollars going to the Supreme Court on something like this. They are always accusing someone else for their shortcomings. Speaking of Texas, where is Judge Roy Bean when you need him?
I would have thought they would want to seek asylum in Mexico!! But who would want them back?!!
Having been a Texan forever, I can remember many, many sessions which were controlled by dims when lines were redrawn to favor them. These people are without shame!
I think the Governor sent the Texas Rangers after them.
*sigh* I was a Texan, Once...'67-'69, so long ago.. :P
Democrats in this state don't have a chance except for dirty tricks. Sucks to be them. They'll never have a majority in Texas in the next 100 years.
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