UMVA has learned that the South Carolina House of Representatives has made a stunning move, approving a bold new congressional map that paves the way for a clean 7-0 Republican sweep of the state's U.S. House seats.
The development comes after a tumultuous session, sparked by Governor Henry McMaster's executive order requiring the General Assembly to return to an extra legislative session to address the state budget and critically important congressional redistricting.
The session, which kicked off on May 15, was marked by controversy, with Senate Republicans blocking a clean extension and trying to delay the redistricting process. However, the House remained resolute, and on Tuesday night, they approved the proposed 7-0 congressional map with a vote of 74-36 on second reading and 74-37 on third reading.
The measure now heads to the Senate, where Republicans will decide whether to move forward with a map that could eliminate Democrats' lone congressional seat in the state. State Rep. Adam Morgan celebrated the momentum online, urging the Senate to move quickly and not let the opportunity slip away.
Morgan revealed that four Republicans voted against the bill: Ballentine, Hartnett, Moss, and Session. Several others, including Brewer, Brittain, Caskey, Cox, Ligon, Sanders, M Smith, and Taylor, did not vote. With the ball now in the Senate's court, Morgan issued a direct grassroots call to action, urging South Carolinians to pressure Senate Republicans to move the map without delay.
The stakes are high, with early voting scheduled to begin on May 26 for South Carolina's statewide primaries on June 9. The new map dismantles the unconstitutional, race-based 6th Congressional District, the lone Democrat stronghold long held by far-left Rep. Jim Clyburn, the aging godfather of the state's Democrat machine.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to hold its first public hearing, and the clock is ticking for Senate Republicans to make a decision. Will they seize the opportunity to reshape the state's congressional landscape, or will they let politics get in the way?
As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: the fate of South Carolina's congressional representation hangs in the balance. With the Republican-controlled House having already approved the map, the pressure is now on Senate Republicans to follow suit and secure a clean 7-0 sweep for the GOP.
