The Maryland House of Delegates passed a new congressional map Monday that would eliminate the state’s last Republican-held U.S. House seat, escalating a Democratic effort to counter GOP gerrymanders reshaping the national political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Lawmakers approved House Bill 488 by a 99–37 vote, largely along party lines, formally endorsing a map drawn by the governor’s redistricting advisory commission. If enacted, the plan would redraw all eight of Maryland’s congressional districts in ways that favor Democratic candidates, transforming the state’s current 7–1 delegation into an all-Democratic slate.

Democrats framed the vote as a response to an extraordinary national moment, pointing to President Donald Trump’s push for mid-decade redistricting in Republican-controlled states to lock in a GOP House majority before voters head to the polls.

With control of Congress often decided by a handful of seats, supporters argued that inaction would amount to unilateral disarmament.

“At the end of the day, we have to protect Maryland’s interest,” bill sponsor Del. C.T. Wilson (D) said during floor debate. “We can’t have people up there scared of this administration — fearful that they’ve got to do the right thing to stay in this man’s favor.”