Indiana state senators advance GOP-drawn congressional map, setting up a final vote

A committee of Indiana state lawmakers advanced a Republican-drawn congressional map Monday, sending it to the floor of the state Senate, where its outcome remains uncertain

A committee of Indiana state lawmakers advanced a Republican-drawn congressional map Monday, sending it to the floor of the state Senate, where its outcome remains uncertain.

After more than six hours of testimony, the map passed out of the committee on a 6-3 vote, with one Republican, Sen. Greg Walker, joining with two Democrats in opposition. Half of the Republicans who voted "yes" suggested they did so to ensure a full vetting of the legislation on the Senate floor and hinted that their votes may change after further debate.

The map, which passed the House last week, is designed to net the GOP two seats in next year's midterm elections. The Senate is expected to vote on it this week.

The new district lines were drawn at the urging of President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring Republican legislators across the country to enact maps that shore up the party's narrow U.S. House majority.

But while Republicans in states like Texas, Missouri and North Carolina went along with Trump's wishes, Senate GOP leaders in Indiana have been resisting a mid-decade redistricting push for months, repeatedly saying there are not enough votes to pass a new map.