"Supreme Court Halts Ruling on Racially Biased Texas Map"

Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Ruling on Racially Biased Texas Congressional Map The US Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court ruling that found Texas' 2026 congressional redistricting plan likely discriminates on the basis of race, pending further review. The decision, signed by Justice Samuel Alito, blocks the use of the new map, which is favorable to Republicans, in the upcoming midterm elections. According to the Associated Press, the court's conservative majority has issued the temporary stay, effectively putting on hold the lower court's ruling that the new map is racially gerrymandered. The move is the latest in a series of actions by the court's conservative majority to block lower court rulings on congressional redistricting cases that come close to election dates. The lower court's ruling, which was issued on November 21, 2025, found that the new map, pushed by President Trump, likely discriminates on the basis of race. The ruling was a significant blow to Republicans, who had been hoping to use the new map to their advantage in the midterm elections. The Supreme Court's decision to block the lower court's ruling is a temporary one, and the court will continue to consider the case in the coming days. According to the Supreme Court's order, the stay will remain in place at least until the court makes a final decision on the matter. The case has significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections, which are just weeks away. The new map, which was drawn by Republicans, has been criticized for its potential to disenfranchise minority voters. According to experts, the map could potentially reduce the number of minority-majority districts in Texas, making it more difficult for minority candidates to win elections. "This is a significant setback for voting rights in Texas," said a spokesperson for the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens. "We are disappointed, but not surprised, by the Supreme Court's decision to block the lower court's ruling. We will continue to fight for fair and equitable representation for all Texans." The Supreme Court's decision to block the lower court's ruling is the latest development in a long-running battle over congressional redistricting in Texas. The state's congressional map has been the subject of controversy for years, with both parties accusing the other of attempting to gerrymander the map to their advantage. The case is now expected to be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, with a final decision likely to be made before the midterm elections. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the future of voting rights in Texas and beyond. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Texas Republican Party said, "We are confident that the Supreme Court will ultimately rule in our favor and allow the new map to be used in the upcoming elections. We believe that the map is fair and constitutional, and we look forward to the court's decision." The Supreme Court's decision to block the lower court's ruling is a temporary one, and the case will continue to be closely watched in the coming days.