Republicans react to Special Session for Redistricting

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has called for a Special Session to create new maps for redistricting. Republican leaders have responded.

House Republicans issued the following comments in response to the announcement of a Special Session for partisan gerrymandering.

“I think it is very telling, as Marylanders struggle to pay their skyrocketing energy bills, higher taxes, and higher fees – all foisted upon them by the failed policies of the Democratic majority, that same Democratic majority is calling a Special Session not to help Marylanders, but to play another round of national political games,” said House Minority Leader Delegate Jason Buckel. “It is abundantly clear where their priorities lie, and, unfortunately, it is not with the citizens of Maryland.”

“It is absolutely shameful that the Annapolis political machine is willing to expend so much time and energy disenfranchising more than a million Republican voters in this state,” said House Minority Whip Delegate Jesse Pippy “It certainly flies in the face of Governor Moore’s motto of “leave no one behind”.

As the likelihood of a Special Session increased in May, House Republicans pledged not only to fight against partisan gerrymandering but also to move forward with affordability legislation creating a 30-day gas tax holiday and to stop automatic gas tax increases. The gas tax just increased automatically on July 1 and, according to the Comptroller’s Office, will likely increase again next year.

“Our members remain committed to fighting against partisan gerrymandering and to fighting for affordability for Maryland’s families,” said Buckel. “Our citizens deserve more from their leaders than these political games.”

The bill already passed in the House but was never brought out for a vote.

Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready  responded to the announcement by Governor Moore, Senate President Ferguson, and House Speaker Peña-Melnyk that they will call a special session of the General Assembly the first week in August – the sole purpose of which would be to rewrite the state constitution and eliminate the guardrails that currently govern how congressional districts are drawn, clearing the way to eliminate Maryland’s only Republican voice in Congress.

Marylanders are struggling with a rising cost of living, skyrocketing energy costs, and growing questions about whether they can afford to stay in this state. Gas prices are going up. The bond rating is going down. And Governor Moore’s answer is to call lawmakers back to Annapolis — not to address any of those concerns, but to gut the state constitution and hand Washington a congressional seat that Maryland voters never gave them.

“Governor Moore is dragging lawmakers back to Annapolis in the middle of summer to rewrite the state constitution and silence the last dissenting voice in Maryland’s congressional delegation,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “This has nothing to do with Maryland’s future and everything to do with his own. Marylanders are watching their bills go up and their options go down, and his response is to spend political capital on a Washington power play. That is not leadership. That is an abdication of it.”

The Maryland Freedom Caucus also commented against the Special Session.

“Governor Wes Moore is calling lawmakers back for a special session August 3-5 to advance a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting. This is not about “clarifying” the law—it’s a blatant partisan effort to rewrite the Maryland Constitution so Democrats can gerrymander away Rep. Andy Harris’s seat and silence rural and conservative voices.”