Indiana Republicans Reject redistricting Effort Amid Broader Political Tensions
Indiana Republicans voted against a measure to redraw the state’s congressional maps aimed at adding two Republican-friendly seats, with the final vote tally at 19 in favor and 31 opposed, including 21 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Among the Republicans voting against was Greg Goode. This move was seen as a direct rebuke to Donald Trump, who had exerted pressure on Indiana Republicans, including through multiple visits by Vice President-elect JD Vance to the state capitol. Heritage Action warned that failure to pass the redistricting map could result in the loss of federal funding, affecting infrastructure such as roads and guard bases.
In a related context of partisan redistricting strategies, Democrats reportedly responded to initiatives in Texas intended to favor Republicans by proposing redrawn maps in California that would add five GOP-favorable seats.
On the international front, the United States expanded sanctions against Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela. These sanctions targeted three nephews of Maduro’s wife, six crude oil tankers, and related shipping companies. However, the escalation drew criticism from some lawmakers concerned about the risk of the US becoming entangled in a conflict following the seizure of a tanker named the Skipper near Venezuela.
Domestically, lawmakers expressed concern over a leaked plan to compile a list of non-US citizens employed by or affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for immigration enforcement purposes. A bipartisan group led by Representative Delia Ramirez, Representative Mark Takano, and Senator Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins and Department of Homeland Security Secretary demanding answers about the plan.
