Florida\u2019s new congressional map is nearly law, but the next major step is expected to happen in court.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers approved the DeSantis-backed redraw Wednesday<\/a>, sending the plan to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said Thursday he intends to sign it \u201cas soon as I get it.\u201d<\/p>\n WATCH: Court likely next stop for Florida’s new congressional maps<\/p>\n The map<\/a>, drawn by the governor\u2019s office, could help Republicans pick up as many as four additional congressional seats on paper. DeSantis and GOP lawmakers argue<\/a> the plan is legally defensible, citing Florida\u2019s population growth and a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling<\/a> on the Voting Rights Act as justification for moving away from race-based districts.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that we are following the law,\u201d said Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes.<\/p>\n But Democrats and voting rights groups are already preparing legal challenges, arguing the map violates Florida\u2019s voter-approved Fair Districts Amendment, which bars districts drawn to favor a political party.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as the governor signs the bill, we will file a lawsuit, and this will go straight into litigation,\u201d said Sen. Mack Bernard, D-West Palm Beach.<\/p>\n Voting rights attorney Marc Elias also predicted<\/a> a court fight, writing online: \u201cI beat Republicans before when they broke the state constitution by partisan redistricting and I will do it again.\u201dFlorida Attorney General James Uthmeier was quick to respond<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThis guy cites a case from 11 years ago\u2026\u201d said the Republican. \u201cIgnores the last 8 years where we mopped the floor with him.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear who will bring the expected lawsuit, though Common Cause Florida said it was also among those considering<\/a> legal action.<\/p>\n National Politics<\/p>\n Florida approves new congressional map to boost Republicans in midterms<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard from the testimony from the governor\u2019s team that partisan data was used in drawing this map, and that is quite clearly unconstitutional under Florida\u2019s Fair Districts amendment,\u201d said Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida.<\/p>\n At a Thursday news conference<\/a>, DeSantis took a victory lap and mocked<\/a> U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who warned Florida Republicans last week not to proceed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe goes out there and he’s like, \u2018We going to do maximum warfare against Republicans, Florida Republicans. You F around you going to find out,\u2019\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cDon\u2019t think that you can come down here issue threats to us, and somehow you’re going to make us flinch.\u201d<\/p>\n