Indiana Senate Committee Advances GOP Congressional Map After Heated Hearing, Citing Pressure and Safety Concerns

A committee of Indiana state senators on Monday advanced a Republican-drawn congressional map, forwarding the bill to the full Senate after more than six hours of public testimony. The measure cleared the committee on a 6-3 vote, with Republican Sen. Greg Walker joining two Democrats in opposition. Several GOP members said they voted to move the bill so the full Senate could fully debate the proposal.

The map, approved by the Indiana House last week, is designed to give Republicans a net gain of two U.S. House seats in next year’s midterm elections. Senate leaders said they expect the full chamber to consider the bill this week, though its ultimate fate remains uncertain.

New district lines were drawn after pressure from President Donald Trump, who has urged Republican state legislators nationwide to adopt maps that would protect the party’s slim U.S. House majority. The White House and national Republican operatives have escalated their campaign, with Trump saying he would back primary challengers against Indiana Republicans who oppose the plan. On Truth Social, he wrote: "Why would a REAL Republican vote against this when the Dems have been doing it for years??? If they stupidly say no, vote them out of Office — They are not worthy — And I will be there to help!"

Lawmakers and staff described a tense context for the debate: officials say at least 11 elected Republicans in Indiana were targeted by "swatting" attempts—false emergency reports intended to provoke armed police responses—after the pressure to enact a new map intensified.

Sen. Greg Walker, the lone Republican to vote against the committee measure, delivered emotional testimony about the national influence on the Legislature, the threats facing lawmakers and his constitutional concerns about the proposed lines. "I fear for this institution, I fear for the state of Indiana, I fear for all states if we allow intimidation, threats to become the norm," Walker said. Walker has said he will not seek re-election next year but indicated the redistricting fight has made him reconsider.

More than 100 people testified or attended Monday's packed hearing. Critics said the plan splits communities and may be difficult to implement in time for the election. Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell, a Democrat, told lawmakers that applying the new map on short notice would be infeasible and estimated the cost at more than $1 million, citing missing precinct data.

Megan Robertson, speaking for Indiana Conservation Voters, argued the map divides communities awkwardly and appears to be drawn without adequate local knowledge. "I grew up in Porter County, which this map splits in half and then divides us from our friends right next door in Lake County. Now I live in Indianapolis, which this map splits in fourths," she said.

Supporters defended the proposal at the hearing, saying statewide vote margins justify more Republican representation. Marion County resident Gregory Katter testified that recent statewide results show why voters' preferences should be reflected in congressional delegations.

What’s Next: The full Indiana Senate is expected to take up the bill this week. If enacted, the redrawn districts would aim to shift two U.S. House seats to Republican control ahead of next year’s midterms.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.