Hatcher comments on the House passage of Republicans’ gerrymandered map

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington, D.C. The map cracks like-minded communities to give the Republican Party an advantage in Indiana’s congressional elections. Congressional District 1 stretches from Gary to Wabash. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week. 

“Northwest Indiana knows something about lines. We know about lines that separate, exclude and contain. We know about lines as tools of power, not justice. This isn’t new for our community. 

“For decades, the people of Northwest Indiana — Black, Brown, working-class, union families — have battled disinvestment. They’ve survived segregation, redlining, white flight and industrial abandonment, and now they're being asked to survive the erasure of their voice. Our ability to choose our own representation in Washington is on the chopping block.

“The majority’s not just drawing districts. They’re making a statement about who deserves a seat at the table, whose voices count and whose community matters. This is a clear attempt to erase a district where people of color have real power.  

“That’s what makes line-drawing in Indiana so consequential. It's not just a matter of geography. It's a measure of whose voices are valued, and whose are managed.

“As this map heads to the Senate, I urge them to reject it. Let the people of Northwest Indiana keep the one thing we’ve been fighting for all these years: a voice.” 

Gore decries House Republicans for passing gerrymandering bill

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. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement: 

"Today, my Republican colleagues in the House had the opportunity to show Hoosiers that they have integrity. Instead of choosing to be brave in the face of adversity from D.C., they folded like a flimsy house of cards.

“Rather than give a good-faith read of several common-sense amendments to the bill, they turned their heads away from reason.

“Hoosiers across the state are facing an increasingly dire affordability crisis.

“House Republicans, however, are too focused on doing the bidding of the White House to address the cost of groceries, utility bills, and rent prices.

“The decision to advance this bill will long mark a dark day for the Indiana House of Representatives. On this day, House Republicans made clear to us all that they are more focused on appeasing a wannabe king in Washington than improving the lives of their constituents.

“I urge my colleagues in the upper chamber to reject this gerrymandering scheme, and to reject it decisively. Punch your ticket to the right side of history. Vote NO."

Jackson condemns House passage of Republicans’ racially gerrymanded congressional map

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. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, released the following statement: 

“The precedent this sets moving forward is that redrawing our congressional map is simply a free for all. Whoever is in power can do whatever they want to make sure they stay in power. This will cause irreparable harm to public trust in the ability of our government to act out of anything but self-interest. 

“All week, my colleagues in the Democratic caucus have been fighting to get the Republican supermajority to acknowledge that Hoosiers need help with the real issues they face. We have put forth proposals to make child care, health care, housing, utilities and groceries more affordable. Time after time, Republicans shut down our proposals to discuss partisan gerrymandering that nobody asked for. This proposed map was not made for the benefit of Hoosiers. The author of the bill openly admitted over and over that this map was drawn by D.C. insiders purely to give one party a political advantage. 

“Our community in Lake County, one of the most diverse communities in the state, has been deliberately targeted partially because of that diversity. Breaking up our congressional district is a direct attempt to dilute the voting power and silence the voices of the Hoosiers I represent. I am ashamed of the action taken by the Indiana House of Representatives today.”  

Pfaff decries House passage 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. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) issued the following statement: 

“These maps were not drawn to benefit Hoosiers, but to artificially boost the political performance of one party. The author of the bill has been saying that loud and proud all week. If this map passes the Senate, the precedent will be that politicians now choose their voters, not the other way around. This is cheating, plain and simple. 

“The Indiana House of Representatives should be focused on the real issues impacting Hoosiers. My community and Hoosiers throughout the state have made it clear that they do not want partisan political games, they need help keeping more of their hard-earned money. House Democrats have been trying for months to get our colleagues across the aisle to address the affordability of health care, child care, housing, utilities and groceries –  but the demands of the political establishment took priority.”

Pryor decries House passage of Republicans’ racially 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. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, released the following statement: 

“What happened today is a disgrace to this state. The author of this bill has been repeating over and over that this map was drawn purely for political performance, and that no consideration was given to the minority populations in the communities they decided to divide. Making the deliberate choice to ignore racial populations is just as bad as targeting them. Either way, a conscious effort was made to suppress the voting power of Black and brown Hoosiers. 

“These maps were drawn behind closed doors by political insiders who are not interested in the needs of Hoosiers, only maintaining their own power. Hoosiers have been telling us for months that they don’t want this. They want to be able to afford their utility bills, health care, child care, housing and groceries. Yet, the Republican supermajority in the House has told Hoosiers through their actions that they do not care about what is best for our state. If the D.C. establishment comes calling, that will be the priority.”

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.”