The Louisiana Senate voted Thursday to re-draw the state's U.S. House districts with one majority-Black district, instead of two.
The vote was 27 to 10, straight down party lines, to create five Republican-leaning districts.
West Monroe Republican Jay Morris said that was his intention with the districts his bill created.
"These maps are drawn to maximize Republican advantage," said Morris, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court said political gerrymandering is fine, as long as districts are not drawn to specifically create a racial majority.
Senator Sam Jenkins said party and race often go hand-in-hand in Louisiana.
"When we are dealing with Democratic voters, by large and by full you are dealing with a large population of Black voters," he said.
The matter now moves on to the Louisiana House.
