Senate approves GOP congressional redistricting plan

The Virginia Senate today passed a congressional redistricting bill that Democrats say is unconstitutional and disenfranchises African Americans by packing too many of them into one of the 11 congressional districts.

The vote on House Bill 251 was 20-19 along party lines. It would likely have gone to a tie in the evenly divided chamber but one Democratic senator was not present.

The legislation now goes to the desk of Gov. Bob McDonnell. Even with McDonnell's anticipated signature, the plan still must be approved by the Department of Justice for compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act.

"If a plan gets to my desk... that we believe is constitutional and is embraced by the legislature, I'd certainly be inclined to sign it," McDonnell said in a conference call with reporters to discuss his endorsement of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"Like the state level redistricting plan, I  make sure my lawyers and the attorney general and others review redistricting plans before I make a decision because I want to make sure they pass review, and court review if that's going to happen."  

Democrats have also filed suit against the Republican plan in Richmond and in federal court in Alexandria.

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, the new chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, told senators that the plan "preserves the core" of existing demographics in the current congressional districts and complies with the requirements of the Voting Rights Act.

Virginia's current congressional delegation has eight Republicans and three Democrats. One of those districts, the 3rd, is considered a majority-minority district under the Voting Rights Act. The district is represented by Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-3d, the only African-American in the Virginia delegation.

Under Virginia's current congressional boundaries, Scott's district has a 53 percent  minority population. In the new GOP plan, it has a 60 percent minority population. Blacks make up roughly 19 percent of the state's population.

Senate Democrats accused Republicans of "packing" more minority voters into Scott's district in an effort to dilute the voting strength they could exert in other adjoining congressional districts, and subsequently, the opportunity to elect a second African-Amercian member.   

Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, said packing is a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

Sen. Mamie E. Locke, D-Hampton, said the plan was "clearly designed to protect incumbents" and disenfranchises minority voters. 

Last year in a Democrat-controlled Senate, Locke authored a redistricting plan that would expand African American voting strength into the adjoining 4th District. The 4th would have become a majority-minority district. Scott's 3rd District would have had a substantial minority population, but not a majority.

Locke said today that members of the GOP controlled House redistriciting team made no effort to reach a compromise on a plan last year, and reitereated her "admamant opposition" to the Republican plan.

Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, argued that because the legislature failed to enact a plan during the 2011 redistricting, the current General Assembly lacks the constitutional authority to revisit the issue and pass a new plan.

There is no "leniency" or "latitude" for reapportionment to be done, Barker said.

Under the Republican plan the 7th District, represented by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-7th, would lose Madison, Page and Rappahannock counties and a portion of Caroline County. It would pick up New Kent County.

Cantor commended the plan.

"This legislation was the only plan presented which enjoyed both bipartisan and biracial support. It is a unity plan that represents compromise by both parties, and enjoys broad community support as well," he said.

"I am pleased that the General Assembly was able to move quickly on this important issue to ensure that all Virginians are represented equally and that this year's elections will be able to take place as currently scheduled.

"I look forward to getting to know and representing the citizens of New Kent, and the additional portions of Spotsylvania that will now be a part of the 7th District."

Under the GOP plan the 1st District, represented by Republican Robert J. Wittman, would gain all of Caroline County and lose parts of Hampton and Newport News.

Scott's 3rd District would gain the city of Petersburg, lose New Kent and retain a black majority. The 4th District, represented by Republican J. Randy Forbes, would lose Petersburg and parts of Suffolk.

The 5th District, represented by Republican Robert Hurt, would extend north, picking up Rappahannock County and part of Fauquier County.