GOP-led Senate passes redrawn map to add Republican seat, sending it to House

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Republican Senators passed a redrawn Congressional map that would benefit their own party on Tuesday morning after hours of debate spanning days.

It passed along party lines with no Democratic support.

Republicans have been clear from the start that they want to pass this map to appease President Donald Trump

and get an additional Republican seat in Congress.

“The motivation behind this new plan is straightforward: the new Congressional map improves Republican strength in Eastern North Carolina, it moves NC District 1 from a District where President Trump won 51% of the vote in in 2024, to 55% of the vote,” Republican Senator Ralph Hise, who took credit for drawing the new map, said on Monday.

When the bill made it to the Senate floor on Monday, Democrats tried everything they could to prevent this from passing. They introduced amendments that all failed and also handed in Constitutional protests. They tried more on Tuesday and were repeatedly blocked by Republicans.

At one point, Democratic Senator Michael Garrett gave a floor speech saying Democracy was under attack.

“There are moments that define nations, moments when the soul of a country is tested, when everything that came before, every sacrifice, every principle, every promise, hangs in the balance,” Senator Garrett said. “This is one of those moments.”

Senator Garrett went on to speak about servicemembers who have fought for freedom in the past, saying they kept a promise to defend Democracy.

“And now we stand here, in our comfortable suits and our air-conditioned chamber, and we’re being asked, will you honor that promise, or will you spit on their graves?” Senator Garrett said.

Fellow Democratic Senator Lisa Grafstein moved to put his words in the journal, which would solidify Garrett’s words in the record of the General Assembly.

Republican Senator Buck Newton objected to that, forcing a vote on the matter, which fellow Republicans backed. They won the motion, meaning Garrett’s words would not be put in the journal.

“The truth only hurts if it should. Senator Garrett spoke the truth. Those true words should be spread upon the journal. I urge you all, regardless of party, to show some respect for your colleague, to show some respect for our state, for our country, for the freedom of speech. Show some respect,” Senator Grafstein said.

With the map passed on the Senate floor, it heads to the House. If they pass it, which is likely since Republicans control the House as well, Democratic Governor Josh Stein does not have the power to veto the map.