Washington, D.C. — Following the introduction of a new egregiously gerrymandered congressional map in the Texas House of Representatives this morning, Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), released the following statement:

“Since the creation of NDRC in 2017, we have stood for fairness in the redistricting process and have opposed the use of partisan and racial gerrymanders — by all parties — designed to disenfranchise the American people.  We are still committed to that ideal. In the long term the anti-democracy tactics that we have successfully fought against are inconsistent with responsive governance and deny our fellow citizens their most fundamental of rights. This is in tension with our founding documents and ideals.

“Nowhere are these anti-democracy tactics more prevalent than from Republican leaders, led by the President, who are right now attempting to gerrymander their way to unchecked power. Just as we have throughout our inception, we stand strong against this unjust attempt to thwart the will of the people.

“Let me be clear. Our enduring commitment to fairness does not blind us to reality. In this moment steps must be taken to respond to the authoritarian measures being considered in certain states and now so brazenly taken in Texas.

“We must preserve our democracy now in order to ultimately heal it.

“It is for this reason that we do not oppose — on a temporary basis — responsible responsive actions to ensure that the foundations of our democracy are not permanently eroded. Once this time has passed, measures at the federal and state levels must be put in place to outlaw the actions that have precipitated this crisis. Those who for partisan gain would subvert the precepts of our democracy must never be allowed again to threaten that which makes this nation exceptional.

“We will continue our work for fairness and justice in our electoral process.”

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