Hamilton gravely disappointed in House passaged of Republicans’ gerrymandered congressional maps

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to give the Republican party an advantage in Indiana’s congressional elections. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week. 

State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), released the following statement: 

“This map rigging may be the Republican party’s most urgent priority, but it is not the priority of Hoosiers. While Hoosiers are worried about utility costs and the affordability of just about every basic need, we just wasted four months on this unpopular map-rigging scheme that is just plain wrong. 

“If this map becomes law, within four miles of my house in Indianapolis, I will be able to stand in 5 congressional districts.  That speaks to how this map would attempt to deny the most economically vibrant and diverse city in our state representation in congress.

“The Republican supermajority has openly and repeatedly admitted that these maps were drawn by out-of-state party hacks seeking to maintain political power in Washington. Hoosiers deserve leaders who stand up for them and their needs." 

Bartlett: ‘Rigging maps and silencing voices is no way to lead’

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington, D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to make elections less competitive to benefit the Republican Party. HB 1032 now heads to the Senate for their consideration next week.

State Rep. John L. Bartlett (D-Indianapolis), issued the following statement:

"This week, we saw House Republicans shirk their responsibilities to the Hoosiers who elected them. They didn't pass these maps to benefit anyone living in our state, they passed them because folks in Washington, D.C. told them to. If this bill passes in the Senate, people throughout the state will be harmed. African Americans and minority Hoosiers will suffer the most, with two of the state's largest minority populations – Lake and Marion counties – being specifically targeted with this map. Despite losing representation, our communities will still be expected to pay taxes. The Boston Tea Party – and the idea that there should be 'no taxation without representation' – is a founding tenet of our country. House Republicans are undermining our systems, our democracy and our history with this map proposal. Rigging maps and silencing voices is no way to lead. If you have to cheat to win, you're not fit to hold office.

"On Thursday, our caucus offered 16 amendments – including one of my own – to prevent some of the harms that are guaranteed to come if this map becomes reality. The supermajority voted against all of them. They have no interest in helping Hoosiers, which is the only thing I'm interested in doing here at the Statehouse. I hope our senators have the backbone to stand up against this power grab and prioritize the needs of their constituents."

Miller condemns passage of gerrymandered congressional maps

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Gov. Mike Braun and Washington, D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to make elections less competitive to benefit one party. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week.

State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), issued the following statement:

"This week, during committee hearings and testimony on the House Floor, we heard our Republican colleagues tell us all the reasons we need to pass this rigged map. In that process, we learned that the author of the bill supposedly didn't think about the impact the map would have on minority communities throughout the state. Regardless of intent, this map proposal will dilute the vote of African American Hoosiers and Hoosiers of color, and was clearly created only for the political advantage of the Republican Party.

"What we didn't hear this week was how this map will make life better for Hoosiers. We could have discussed anything this week – from utility bills to health care costs to the rising cost of living. I hear from constituents who are struggling to make ends meet every day. Instead of focusing on the needs of Hoosiers, House Republicans used this week to follow orders given to them from Washington, D.C. How's that for local leadership?

"I'm hoping our colleagues in the Senate stand up to this power grab and say 'no' to redistricting."

Moseley condemns ‘misplaced priorities’ after House passes new congressional maps

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Gov. Mike Braun. The map carves up like-minded communities to make elections less competitive to benefit one party. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) released the following statement:

"This week, I sat and listened to all the reasons that we should pass these new congressional maps. I heard a lot about politics, but I didn't hear anything about the real issues Hoosiers are facing. I didn't hear anything about how these maps would lower your cost of living, or how they would make health care more affordable, or how they might lower your utility bills. If we're not focused, in the House chamber, on making life better for you, I'm not interested. I’m not interested in Statehouse politics. I'm interested in commonsense policy that works for a better life for all Hoosiers.

"These maps are not only a partisan attack on voters, but a clear indication of misplaced priorities from Gov. Braun. He could have called a special session to address sky-high health care premiums, the economic disaster heading to our local governments thanks to Senate Enrolled Act 1, or countless other problems we hear from constituents about every day. Instead, he prioritized political games over Hoosiers."

Harris: ‘Indiana Republicans have put politics ahead of Hoosiers’

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington, D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to make elections less competitive to benefit the Republican Party. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), issued the following statement:

"There is nothing positive I can say about this map proposal or how House Republicans have conducted themselves this week. Democrats gave them every opportunity to reverse course and focus on issues such as health care, utility bills, child care – and other problems impact Hoosiers every day. Instead, they rushed their map through our chamber because they believe there would be political consequences if they didn't. They have put politics ahead of Hoosiers, and there is no forgiving that.

"If the Senate passes this map, it will have a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown Hoosiers, especially in Lake and Marion counties. As a lawmaker, I take great care to 'do no harm' when it comes to governing. The supermajority heard our concerns about the harm this map would do and voted for it anyway. This isn't leadership, it's a dereliction of duty.

"Beyond the suppression of Black and brown votes, we have no idea how much this map would end up costing local governments and counties. Yesterday, I offered an amendment to simply look at how much mid-decade redistricting would cost Indiana, and House Republicans couldn't even pass that. This is one of the most irresponsible pieces of legislation I have ever seen passed through this chamber. It's a sad day for Indiana, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate do the right thing and reject this power-grab."

IBLC condemns passage of House Bill 1032

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington, D.C. and Gov. Mike Braun. The map carves up like-minded communities – disproportionally impacting communities of color – to make elections less competitive to benefit Indiana Republicans' longstanding one-party rule. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement on behalf of the bicameral caucus:

"This week, IBLC members in the House of Representatives sat and listened to our colleagues in the Republican caucus tout the need for a congressional map wholly favoring their party. Beyond the fact that this is disenfranchising the over 40% of Hoosiers who don't identify as a Republican, the bill's author admitted in committee that he didn't factor in the potential impact for Black and Brown Hoosiers while proposing the map. He also refused to tell his fellow committee members how much involvement officials in Washington, D.C. had in making the map. Disregarding the harm your legislation could pose to already marginalized people throughout the state is a horrific way to yield power. Members of our caucus offered several amendments on Dec. 4 to try to mitigate some of these harms, all of which were voted down by the supermajority. Other amendments to study the financial cost of mid-decade redistricting and alleviate the financial burden that will be faced by local governments and counties were also rejected by House Republicans. They are legislating with the misguided belief that they don't have to answer to Hoosiers.

"And for the last several months, our offices have heard from Hoosiers throughout the state. The overwhelming majority of the calls and emails our members have received have been in fierce opposition to mid-decade redistricting. Hoosiers don't want new maps. They want more affordable health care. They want someone to reign in the utility companies charging egregious rates each month. They want to be able to afford to feed their families without having to ration their medication. Members of the House Democratic Caucus offered House Republicans countless opportunities to focus our efforts on creating a stronger economy and quality of life for our constituents. Instead, Republicans remained committed to working for D.C., regardless of what Hoosiers need.

"As this bill heads to the next chamber, IBLC members in the Senate will remain committed to fighting back against this power grab and work toward a state where everyone has a chance to thrive. We hope that the Senate Republican Caucus prioritizes Hoosiers above political games and rejects this map. The future of Indiana depends on them."

Andrade condemns House for failing to protect voter integrity

Today, State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) spoke in opposition to House Bill 1032, which would redistrict Indiana’s congressional map and eliminate Democratic-controlled seats, ultimately giving Republicans the advantage in all nine congressional seats.

Andrade released the following statement on the bill’s passage out of the House:

“Northwest Indiana is my home. It’s where families work hard, where neighborhoods look out for one another and where people expect a fair shot at having their voices heard. And today, the community is being torn apart.

“These maps split Northwest Indiana, cutting through communities, economic corridors and cities that are connected in every meaningful way. And for what? Political gain. It’s being said out loud - and proudly.

“They were drawn to strengthen political power and to disenfranchise the voices of Hoosiers who trust us to represent them, not discard them. And this is all at a time when Hoosiers across the state already struggle to believe that the government listens. They see their voices being diluted. And then we wonder why public trust erodes year after year.

“Congressman Mrvan has been the voice of reason for Northwest Indiana in D.C. He continues to stand up for us despite being unwanted in our state by Republicans in Indianapolis who know nothing about The Region. These maps undermine the voice of the people and denounce a community that has contributed enormously to our state.

“Hoosiers deserve a legislature that values public trust. That reflects the real communities they represent. Leaders who put people before party.”

House Republicans pass gerrymandered congressional maps after House Democrats fight for working families

Today, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1032, the mid-decade congressional redistricting bill that is explicitly intended to give Republicans a 9-0 advantage in Indiana's congressional races, by a 57-41 vote. All House Democrats voted against the bill.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement upon the bill's passage:

"At every conceivable turn this week, House Democrats have offered House Republicans opportunities to address real issues that impact Hoosiers every day. From reining in sky-high utility costs to tackling jaw-dropping health care premiums, there's no shortage of problems we could be fixing. Instead, Republicans have rushed through cracked-and-packed maps that break up communities and dilute minority voices.

"Our phones have been ringing off the hook for months – ever since we first started discussing the possibility of redistricting – and the overwhelming majority of people we've spoken to don't want new maps. They want us lawmakers to focus our energy on solving the problems that keep them up at night, not doing Washington, D.C.'s bidding. New political maps don't pay the bills, and Hoosiers are very aware of this.

"I'm hoping that the folks across the hall in the state Senate have the courage to stand up to this D.C. power grab and vote no on redistricting. This has been a distraction for far too long. House Democrats are ready to get to work to create a stronger economy and a better future for Hoosiers, not play political games that only serve to benefit party bosses."

Garcia Wilburn reacts to the House passage of gerrymandered congressional maps

Today, Dec. 5, the Indiana House majority passed House Bill 1032, a gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington, D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to give one faction of the Republican Party an advantage in all nine of Indiana’s congressional elections, a sentiment that was disclosed fully by the bill’s author. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week. 

State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) released the following statement: 

"As an elected official, my job is to listen to the will of the people, not the desires of one particular political party. I was disappointed to hear the author of HB 1032 repeat over and over that the majority's intent was to redraw Indiana's congressional districts 'purely for political performance' of the Republican Party. The bill author repeated variations of this phrase to enter into the legal record a perception that these maps fall squarely in with the Supreme Court of the United States' Rucho v. Common Cause ruling that partisan gerrymandering is acceptable.

"In response to that, I’ll share a piece of advice that my father has shared with me for as long as I can remember: 'Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.'

"The Founding Fathers created our great constitution in part to preserve a permanence of differences in a free society. This is why all states, no matter their population size, have two U.S. Senators representing them, as well as a number of U.S. Representatives representing them proportional to the most recent U.S. Census. A permanence of differences…9-0 congressional maps blatantly in favor of one faction of the Republican Party are hardly a display of the constitutional spirt of a permanence of differences. When you consolidate power, you threaten liberty. Alexander Hamilton was concerned that an unprincipled man would mount the horse of popularity, incite citizens to betray the American experiment and throw things into confusion. And here we are, staring at the doorstep of what one of our cherished forefathers warned us against.

"I voted no today because I have received nothing short of an outpouring of calls and emails from constituents over the past five months opposing this proposal. For constituents wondering what happens next, I encourage you to reach out to your state senator to share your thoughts on the maps as the state senate will consider them next week."

Bartlett amendment to alleviate costs from mid-decade redistricting blocked by supermajority

Today, Dec. 4, State Rep. John L. Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to House Bill 1032 which would have required the state to absorb the cost of updating the 2026 election processes and materials. The Republican supermajority blocked the amendment from receiving a vote.

Rep. Bartlett issued the following statement regarding his amendment:

"During a committee hearing on Tuesday, Rep. Smaltz said his bill was done simply for 'political performance.' To be clear, he's saying this new map is not about helping Hoosiers, it's about rigging the next election in favor of the Republican Party. I don't think it's right that we burden our local governments and counties with the cost of a Republican power grab. Redistricting can cost anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars every 10 years. Republicans always claim to be the party of fiscal responsibility, and this amendment was a way to ensure the state takes accountability for the unnecessary costs mid-decade redistricting will cost counties. I'm disheartened, but not surprised, that they once again shirked their responsibilities to Hoosiers."

Harris amendment to study cost of mid-decade redistricting rejected by supermajority

Today, State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) offered an amendment to House Bill 1032, which would have created a study to determine the true cost of mid-decade redistricting for state and local bodies. The amendment failed along party lines by a vote of 65-28.

Harris issued the following statement:

"What happened to Republicans being the party of fiscal responsibility? All this amendment would have done is examine the cost of mid-decade redistricting on local governments, including counties thrown into chaos by the creation of these new district lines.

"Here's the simple truth: Indiana Republicans rejected this amendment for the same reason they're rushing these new maps through our chamber. They know mid-decade redistricting is unpopular, and a study on the cost might force them to admit that their policies are both unpopular and costly to Hoosiers. Redistricting every 10 years, as we're supposed to do, can cost the state millions of dollars, much of which is shouldered by local governments. Now, Indiana Republicans are trying to push through two maps in less than five years. If they actually cared about fiscal responsibility, mid-decade redistricting would have been a non-starter. This should tell Hoosiers everything they need to know about where House Republicans' priorities lie. They don't care about saving taxpayer dollars, and they don’t care about the confusion that voters will face with these cracked and packed new districts.

"This week, Indiana Republicans have shown us that they don't care what Hoosiers want, they don't care about the process and they don't care about the cost if it means they get to retain power."

Shackleford condemns House for voting down amendments to protect voter equity

Today, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) criticized the House for voting down two amendments she offered to House Bill 1032, which would have added essential transparency and legal protections to the redistricting process. Her amendments required a district-specific analysis to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act and a racial and ethnic equity impact note to assess how the proposal could affect Black and Latino Hoosiers. Both amendments were voted down.

Shackleford released the following statement on the amendments: 

“These amendments were simple and responsible. They did not block redistricting. They only required the legislature to review the data and make sure the maps do not discriminate against anyone. If the majority insists on pushing this process forward, then the least we can do is check the facts and protect the rights of the people we represent. The refusal to adopt even these basic safeguards is deeply disappointing and it undermines public trust in a process that should be fair, transparent and accountable to every Hoosier.

“Without these safeguards, the new redistricting plan will move forward with no requirement to evaluate its impact on minority communities and no obligation to verify compliance with federal law prior to implementation.

“I remain committed to advocating for equitable representation and encourage Hoosiers to stay engaged and informed as the process continues.”