Nebraska approves new congressional map on partisan (R) vote

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Committee approves congressional map on partisan vote

At last, it all came out in the open early Thursday morning. With accusations flying about a "purely partisan" decision that ignores a resolution pledging no partisan consideration in redistricting, the Legislature's redistricting committee endorsed a congressional map that carries the Republican stamp of approval.

An amended plan presented by Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha was adopted on a 5-4 vote, with all five Republican senators on the committee approving the plan and all four Democratic senators voting no. (See current congressional districts.)

The proposal would move Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base from the Omaha-centric 2nd District into the 1st District, which includes Lincoln.

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With Sarpy County as the focus, the redistricting plan appears designed to strengthen the Republican position in the 2nd District, the only one of Nebraska's congressional districts that is viewed as competitive in terms of registration numbers and recent results. In 2010, Republican Rep. Lee Terry of Omaha won re-election, but Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama won Nebraska's 2nd District presidential electoral vote.

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There is no logic or rationale for that transfer other than partisan political motives, Mello (D) argued.


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http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/article_940d350a-066b-5ad7-92bf-19c7761c88ac.html

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