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Senate approves congressional map after heated debate over splitting Memphis
Summary
After hours of impassioned remarks about race, representation and process, the Tennessee Senate passed a congressional map that splits Memphis into three districts; Democrats said the map dilutes Black voting power and predicted litigation.
The Tennessee Senate voted to adopt a new congressional map during a special session after extended, sometimes emotional debate focusing on Memphis and the effect of redistricting on Black representation.
Senator Stevens, sponsor of the proposed maps, said the plan "modernizes Tennessee's redistricting process" and "maximizes Republican chances" in the state's congressional delegation. Opponents, led by Senator Lamar and echoed by Senators Yarbrough, Campbell and Oliver, said the map fractures Memphis and dilutes a majority‑Black district into pieces that would reduce concentrated representation. "This map does not reflect Memphis. It diminishes Memphis," Senator Lamar said in a floor speech.
Lawmakers cited legal history and potential constitutional vulnerability; Senator Oliver walked through the Arlington Heights framework and warned the sequence of events, departures from normal procedure and patterns of decisions could be evidence of discriminatory purpose. Senator Campbell and others noted the packed public gallery, predicted legal challenges, and pointed to the practical cost and administrative burden of implementing new lines in a compressed timeframe. Sponsor Stevens repeatedly answered that the maps were drawn to maximize partisan advantage and that racial data had been removed from the MAC mapping process.
The chamber voted: Ayes 25, Nays 5, and the map was declared passed. Senators on the floor said litigation was likely and urged public engagement and scrutiny; the Senate then passed a resolution to adjourn the special session sine die.
