Statement by Congressman Al Lawson in Response to the House Adoption of House Bill 7503 as Amended

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) issued the following statement today in response to the Florida House Redistricting Committee's adoption on its new congressional map.

"I am disappointed that Speaker Sprowls caved to the demands of Ron DeSantis to push a partisan, unconstitutional congressional map. Never in our state's history has the Florida Legislature submitted two maps for review - one that is clearly unconstitutional and a second "in case we get caught' map. The proposed Congressional District Five divides minority communities of interest across North Florida, leaving all Black voters west of Jacksonville unrepresented.

"Following the Civil War, newly freed African Americans remained in what is now the I-10 corridor where many of their descendants continue to reside. House Bill 7503, as amended, adopts the intent of Ron DeSantis' unconstitutional map by denying these communities of interest a voice in Congress."

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