Washington, D.C. – Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States and chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, released the following statement as the map-drawing process in Texas kicks into higher gear: 

“With Texas’ special redistricting session starting next week, the Texas state legislature has the opportunity to undo the current gerrymandering and draw fair maps that reflect this decade’s Census Data. 

“The Census data confirms that 95 percent of Texas’ population growth came from people of color and was centered in urban and suburban communities.  Fair maps should reflect this growth and increase the number of competitive seats around the state.  

“Make no mistake, we are watching Texas Republicans closely and demand that they listen to public testimony and draw fair maps that reflect the Census data.  We don’t want to see the same willingness to ignore the will of the voters and pass extreme legislation like we saw with SB1 and SB8.  Texas voters deserve fair representation and fair maps, and we will accept nothing less. 

“Texas is a case study for why Congress must work quickly to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. The Republican efforts in Texas and around the country to bend or even break the structures of our democracy to retain power are a critical threat.   They have made it difficult for Texans to participate in redistricting hearings over the last couple of weeks, right after passing a law making it harder for them to vote.  The Freedom to Vote Act will help stop the egregious attacks on our democracy, not only in Texas but across the country – by banning partisan gerrymandering, strengthening protections for communities of color, and putting the power in the hands of the people where it belongs.”

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