Pryor comments on updated session timeline
Today, Nov. 3, Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced that the House of Representatives will meet during the first two weeks of December to address "time sensitive issues." This will be part of the 2026 regular session. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to start today, Nov. 3, to redraw Indiana's nine congressional seats to wholly represent Republicans instead of the 7-2 Republican-Democrat current map.
State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Floor Leader and member of the House Committee on Elections, issued the following statement:
“While the IBLC was holding a rally against redistricting, legislative leadership made their announcement that the general assembly will be convening Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 after Gov. Braun called a special session last week.
“It is mighty convenient that the dates announced overlap with the dates that some Black legislators were scheduled to be at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators' (NBCSL) annual conference. Many of us had made arrangements to attend the conference, some over a month ago. It is telling that the announcement for session was made during the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus rally and scheduled during the NBCSL conference.
“I will cancel those arrangements to be here to fight against this partisan power grab that is targeting minority voters in two congressional districts. The two districts that Republicans seek to annihilate with these new maps are also the two most diverse areas of the state. Getting rid of congressional representation for Marion County and Lake County is an explicit attempt to silence minority voices.
“However, in the statement released about these dates, leadership did not confirm whether or not they would be addressing redistricting. Hoosiers have made it clear that they do not want new congressional maps, they want an affordable Indiana. So far, our pressure has been working. I hope that we use this session to address the real ‘time sensitive issues’ of utility bills, rent, property taxes, healthcare, child care costs and the overall cost of living.”