Lines in the Sand

In the latest round of the nation’s redistricting battle, a state judge blocked Virginia Democrats’ redistricting efforts 24 hours after voter approval.

Tuesday, Virginians passed a constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to redraw the congressional map (see proposed version), taking Dems in the Old Dominion from a 6-5 edge to potentially a 10-1 edge ahead of midterms. 

The Republican National Committee immediately sued, prompting a state circuit court judge to rule the referendum unconstitutional Wednesday—citing a violated 90-day notice requirement and “flagrantly misleading” language. Virginia AG Jay Jones (D) promised to appeal the ruling. 

Meanwhile, Rep. David Scott (GA-D) died at age 80, his office said Wednesday. Scott was a 12-term lawmaker and the first Black chair of the House Agriculture Committee. His vacant seat puts Congress at 218 Republicans and 212 Democrats with five vacancies.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
We shouldn’t let lines on a map cause division in our hearts. What believers have in common is much more powerful than our differences—political, social, or geographical. Rejoice in the unity we have in Christ, and strive to maintain that in all you do and say. 

“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit​—​just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6 (CSB) (read full passage)