South Carolina Republican lawmakers failed Tuesday to secure the votes needed to extend the legislative session and redraw congressional maps, stalling efforts pushed by President Donald Trump to eliminate the state's only Democratic-held House district.
The state Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority required to take up redistricting after the regular session ends later this week. Five Republicans joined all Democrats to defeat the proposal, according to reports from Columbia. Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who had opposed the effort, delivered an impassioned speech before the vote, saying his conscience was clear despite likely consequences from national Republicans. “I understand that there are likely consequences for me personally standing here right now and taking the position that I’m in,” Massey said. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster could still call a special session, though his office has dismissed the idea so far. The vote makes it less likely that Trump will get his wish of eliminating the district held by Rep. Jim Clyburn ahead of this year’s midterms. Trump had written on social media Monday that he was watching the vote closely. The outcome aligns with resistance seen in other states last year, though other Southern states are moving forward with redraws following recent Supreme Court rulings.
