A Justice Department memo released Friday shows that staff lawyers were unanimously against the Texas redistricting plan of 2003 because of its violation of minority rights. Yet, Ashcroft ignored the advice of his own experts, to the great benefit of his own party.
http://www.sfgate.com/...
As many know, before DeLay's redistricting plan Republican's held 15 of the 32 seats. After, they gained 6, contributing to the new republican majority.
From the article (linked above)
Because of historic discrimination against minority voters, Texas is required under provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to get Justice Department approval for any voting changes it makes to ensure the changes don't undercut minority voting.
"The State of Texas has not met its burden in showing that the proposed congressional redistricting plan does not have a discriminatory effect," Justice Department officials said in the memo made public by the Lone Star Project, a Democratic group.
This case will go before SCOTUS. How do you think Alito would vote?
On a related topic, there is increasing buzz that congress wants to redistrict the 9th circuit court of appeals, which will increase the number of judges President Bush can nominate. I'll be keeping my eye on that one.