LOS ANGELES, California — The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Thursday aiming to block California’s newly approved U.S. House map, intensifying a growing national fight over mid-decade redistricting that could influence control of Congress in 2026. The challenge targets Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment voters passed last week that redraws district boundaries and could help Democrats flip multiple Republican-held seats.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, echoes a similar challenge brought by the California Republican Party. It alleges that the new map improperly uses race as a factor to strengthen Hispanic voting blocs, which the Justice Department argues amounts to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the map a “brazen power grab,” accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom of attempting to cement partisan dominance.
Proposition 50 was introduced as a direct counter to Republican redistricting moves in Texas, backed by President Donald Trump, where GOP lawmakers are seeking comparable gains. With Republicans holding a narrow 219–214 House majority, the redistricting efforts in California and Texas have attracted intense national attention.
The ballot measure drew tens of millions of dollars and appearances by major political figures. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly opposed the proposal, while former President Barack Obama endorsed it in campaign ads. The legal battle’s outcome could reshape the House map for 2026 and expand Newsom’s national visibility as he weighs a potential 2028 presidential run.
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