The Missouri Legislature has begun the process to redraw the state's congressional maps, joining Texas and California. Lawmakers are expected to pass a bill that would give Republicans in the state an opportunity to win seven seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

Missouri

Missouri's state legislature has convened a special session, called by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe, to redraw the state's congressional district maps. The proposed 'Missouri first' map would divide Kansas City into three districts, potentially diluting the influence of Democratic voters and shifting the current 6-2 Republican-Democrat split to a 7-1 advantage for Republicans.

The redistricting effort has been criticized by opponents as partisan gerrymandering, particularly for its impact on the district held by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. The move follows similar redistricting actions in Texas and California, and has received support from former President Trump. Observers note that these changes could significantly affect the balance of power in the upcoming midterm elections, with other states also considering similar measures.

Missouri special session on congressional redistricting underway

Missouri's state legislator has begun the process to join Texas and California in redrawing the state's congressional maps. Republican Governor Mike Kehoe called for a special session to begin Wednesday afternoon. The legislator is expected to pass a bill that would give Republicans in the state an opportunity to win seven seats in next year's midterm elections. Right now, Missouri is represented by six Republicans and two Democrats. CBS News political director Finn Gomez joins us with more on all this and finesse they say deja vu all over again as we talk about Missouri. But how does Missouri's redistricting effort compare with what we've already seen play out in Texas and California? Yeah, I mean look, I mean at the just at the crux of it, Nancy, this is something that is. It's a process that's continuing. We saw it started with Texas, then go to California. Now it's moving to Missouri and in that special session that was convened today, as you mentioned, called by the Republican Governor Mike Kehoe specifically to redraw congressional district maps. Does it now to one that that are a new map designed to favor Republicans, but it will target the city's Kansas City's 5th district. The proposed quote Missouri first map would divide Kansas City into three districts, diluting the traditional Democratic stronghold held by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. Cleaver's an 11 term congressman and member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Critics have denounced this as partisan gerrymandering. They could flip that at 6-2 Republican Democratic split to 7-1 in favor of Republicans. All because of the White House to acquiesce to the demands of the White House. Cleaver called it, quote, a stinky plan. President Trump posted his support for this new Missouri map, posting on social media that Missouri voters will have, quote, the tremendous opportunity to elect an additional MAGA Republican in the 2026 midterm elections. As you see there, Nancy, this is all about the midterms. Absolutely. I remember when we first started talking about what was happening in Texas, and I asked you why people who don't live in Texas should care about all of this, and you said it's all about the midterms. Given that, what do you see happening in the midterm elections just over a year from now? I mean, look, this redistricting could tilt control. It could tilt the tilt of the balance of power, frankly. You know, Democrats need only a few seats, if you remember, Nancy, to flip the House. But with the new, these Republican map-making strategies and efforts, they reduce the Democratic opportunities in a year from now. And I do predict there will be a messy, politico-domino effect. You're already seeing other states like Indiana, Ohio, potentially Florida, looking to these other states who have made these changes. And then there's going to be this cause and effect. There'll be other states who are looking to do so. Democratic states, Maryland, there's been more interest there in potentially changing the map. So there's going to be a lot of this, and it's going to be a lot of this going forward. And we're, you know, over a year, as you mentioned, over a year away until those midterms. All right. These conversations will continue then, I'm sure. Finn Gomez, thank you very much. Thanks, Nancy.

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