Indiana House Passes Redistricting Bill as GOP Though Outcome Uncertain In Senate

The Indiana House advanced a controversial—but strategically significant—bill on Friday to redraw the state’s congressional lines, sending the measure to the Senate despite pockets of Republican resistance. The proposal cleared the chamber 57–41, with twelve Republicans breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposition, according to WTHR.

Two lawmakers were excused from voting. Notably, the dissenting Republicans included members of House leadership, such as State Rep. Greg Steuerwald of District 40—one of the architects of Indiana’s 2021 maps. Only two GOP members spoke in support of the proposal during the lengthy session.

State Rep. Ben Smaltz of District 52, the bill’s author, defended the move by pointing out that Indiana law places no limits on when lawmakers can update congressional boundaries, provided they follow constitutional requirements.

House Speaker Todd Huston of District 37—who has frequently emphasized the importance of maintaining stable Republican leadership in the state—urged colleagues to back the proposal. He framed the effort as part of a broader nationwide reality in which both parties routinely seek strategic advantage.

“Nationally, we don’t operate in a vacuum, and states are doing this all across the country – red and blue states – and we felt like it was important for us to be a part of that and make sure we used every tool we could to support a strong Republican majority,” Huston said.

“The fact of the matter is, states all across the country have or continue to do this,” he added. “I’ve heard we can stop it here. I don’t think anybody believes that. I don’t think what we do here will stop other states from doing it. I think it’s the place where we are right now. This is our time to act.”

The bill now heads to the Indiana Senate, where President Pro Tem Rod Bray of Martinsville has repeatedly cautioned that the votes to approve the redrawn map simply aren’t there. Several Senate Republicans have already publicly distanced themselves from the measure.

The renewed push for mid-cycle redistricting stems from President Donald Trump, who has urged states to fortify GOP control of the U.S. House heading into the critical 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats spent more than three hours insisting the proposal fractures “communities of interest” and dilutes the political power of minority voters in Marion County. House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta of District 80 warned that approving the new map mid-decade sets a dangerous precedent.

“What happens if elections don’t go the way people want in ’26? Are we going to come back in ’27 and start moving precincts around, move one county here and there? Or what’s going to happen?” GiaQuinta asked.

“Unfortunately, now we’ve set the stage to do this, unfortunately, more often than when it should be done, which is once every 10 years.”

State Rep. Vernon Smith of District 14 declared that the move would galvanize Democrats in future cycles.

“We won’t be discouraged. We will be driven to victory. We won’t just lick our wounds. We’ll put on our armor for war,” Smith said.
“You asked for it. We’re going to give it to you.”

Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder of Bloomington sharply criticized the bill after its passage, claiming it “tears apart communities, strips voters of representation they voted for and hands control to national figures who are more interested in cementing absolute power rather than solving any problems.”

“Hoosiers should pick their leaders. Politicians should not redraw the map to pick the voters. Hoosiers don’t cheat and this bill does,” Yoder added.

The vote came moments after Gov. Mike Braun addressed pro-redistricting supporters outside the House chamber. Acknowledging the Senate’s resistance, Braun nevertheless expressed confidence that “we will get redistricting done.” He applauded Huston and House Republicans for “the courage to protect Hoosier voters.”

The Senate is expected to take up the proposal next week. Braun urged GOP senators to move swiftly, reminding them that even if this specific version of the map fails, “the discussion isn’t over.”

As the governor spoke, anti-redistricting protesters lined the rotunda’s upper floors, urging Republicans to reject the measure.