The Supreme Court Monday temporarily blocked a lower court’s order that directed Texas to redraw two “racially discriminatory” congressional districts.
The decision by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito — who manages emergency filings from Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana — delays a federal court hearing that was set to take place in San Antonio early in September until the higher court can consider the case, according to the Associated Press.
Earlier, a three-judge panel in San Antonio unanimously ruled the two Texas House districts had to be redrawn before the 2018 midterm elections because lawmakers had purposely discriminated against minorities.
Incumbent representatives for the impacted districts include Democrat Lloyd Doggett, of the 35th District, and Republican Blake Farenthold, of the 37th District.
The minority groups suing Texas over the lines have until Sept. 5 to file a response about the matter before the state’s appeal can move forward, per the Texas Tribune.
