DDHQ Morning News Spotlight: Back to Square One For Redistricting in New York

Morning Headlines

• U.S. GDP has shrunk by 1.4% according to a report put out by the Commerce Department this morning. It is the first contraction of the U.S. economy since the early days of the pandemic. While economists do expect net growth during the rest of 2022, this report raises concern over a possible recession during a time of historically high inflation that will undoubtedly be a leading issue during this year’s midterm elections.
• The New York Court of Appeals has thrown out the state’s congressional and state Senate maps drawn by Democrats in the state Legislature calling them unconstitutional gerrymanders. The 4-3 decision from the court also points out that the primary in New York will now likely have to be moved to August. Maps will now be redrawn by a neutral expert. Democrats were hoping to net three new seats in Congress with the now voided map.
• Missouri is facing lawsuits after Republicans in the state have still not come up with a plan for redistricting. Despite Republicans holding both houses in the legislature and the Governor’s office, Missouri remains the only state to have not passed any plan for redistricting. Republican candidates are among those bringing lawsuits against the state asking the courts to intervene in the process. The state is currently set to hold its primary on August 2.
• The Congressional Leadership Fund is spending $125 million in TV ad buys in around 50 media markets across the country. The GOP super PAC is targeting these ad buys almost exclusively in US House districts currently held by Democrats that Republicans have a shot at flipping. According to Politico, these buys already exceed what the group spent on TV ads in the 2020 election cycle.
• President Biden has reportedly expressed openness to forgiving some student debt in recent meetings with members of his party in Congress. This is an idea Republicans strongly oppose, and in response have begun to draft legislation that would block the President from being able to forgive student debt via executive order. Senator Mitt Romney called the possible move an election year “bribe”.

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