California Democrats Pass Redistricting Bill to Counter Trump’s Texas Gerrymander

California Democrats voted Thursday to approve a package of bills that together set up a November special election in which voters will be asked to greenlight a new congressional map.

The proposed new map, which could give Democrats five new seats in Congress, aims to counter Texas’ gerrymander. The Texas map, which came after pressure from President Donald Trump, is likely to hand the GOP five new congressional seats of its own. Texas lawmakers are slated to pass their map Thursday night.

The California package was debated in both legislative chambers simultaneously Thursday. Applause broke out in the Assembly when the chamber passed the constitutional amendment authorizing the maps by a 57-20 vote. The chamber passed the maps themselves and a bill funding the redistricting by similar margins, while the Senate passed each of the three measures along party lines.

California Assemblyman Marc Berman (D) said his party was pushed into passing the legislation.

“Let me be crystal clear: We don’t want this fight, and we didn’t choose this fight, but with our democracy on the line, we cannot and will not run away from this fight,” Berman said. “We’re here today because President Trump and Republicans in Texas and other states are attempting to redraw congressional districts mid-decade in an effort to rig the upcoming election.”