Indiana House Approves Trump-Backed Congressional Map 57-41 — Senate Now Holds Final Say

Indianapolis, IN — Indiana's Republican-controlled state House on Friday approved a controversial mid-decade congressional map by a 57-41 vote and sent the measure to the state Senate, where its fate is uncertain.

The proposal would divide Indianapolis — now largely contained in the 7th Congressional District — into four separate districts and could reshape the balance of all nine U.S. House seats in the state. Supporters frame the plan as a strategic response to national partisan dynamics; critics say it was rushed through and weakens the political influence of Black and minority voters in Marion County.

Quick Turnaround and National Backing

The map was unveiled on Monday and moved to a vote by Friday, a far faster timeline than the 2021 process, which featured months of public hearings around the state. House sponsor Rep. Ben Smaltz said the map and bill language were provided by the National Republican Redistricting Trust, the GOP’s primary redistricting arm, which also helped draw recently adopted maps in other states.

Key Opposition From Democrats

“What we’re doing today with this proposed legislation is taking away the rights of Black and brown people in Indiana,” said Democratic state Rep. Greg Porter, who represents Indianapolis. Porter and other Democrats warned the changes would dilute Black voting power and could threaten the seat of U.S. Rep. André Carson, the state's only Black member of Congress, who has represented Indianapolis for 17 years.

The map also reconfigures northwest Indiana by pairing cities such as East Chicago and Gary with more conservative counties, a change that could put Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan at risk.

Political Pressure And Consequences

Republicans currently hold seven of Indiana’s nine U.S. House seats. Nationally, former President Donald Trump has urged Republican-led states to redraw maps ahead of next year’s midterms to help the party retain or expand its House majority. Trump has also publicly threatened to support primary challenges against Republican senators who oppose such redistricting efforts.

State Senate GOP leader Rodric Bray previously indicated the chamber did not have enough votes for passage. In Indiana’s 50-member Senate, Republicans need at least 25 votes for approval; a tie-breaking vote could come from the lieutenant governor if required. The bill’s next procedural step is committee consideration in the Senate, where opposition could be winnowed or hardened.

Intense Debate And Safety Concerns

The debate has sharply divided lawmakers and drawn national attention. Several senators on both sides have reportedly faced threats and "swatting" attempts in recent weeks, underscoring the high political stakes and safety concerns surrounding the measure.

Legal And National Context

The redistricting push in Indiana comes amid a broader national struggle over mid-decade map changes. The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed Texas to hold elections under a new congressional map that is expected to favor Republicans, a decision that has energized GOP strategists and intensified the debate over whether mid-decade redistricting will become more common.

Next steps: The Senate committee review and a possible Senate floor vote will determine whether the new map takes effect. If enacted, the lines could reshape Indiana’s congressional delegation and reverberate in the national balance of power heading into next year’s midterms.