>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "LAWMAKERS."

ARM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

LAST MONTH U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE JONES ORDERED GEORGIA TO DRAW BLACK MAJORITIES.

IN ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, TO STATE DISTRICT AND FIVE ADDITIONAL DISTRICTS.

WE WILL DIG INTO THE SPECIFICS OF WHY AND EXPLAIN HOW THIS COULD AFFECT YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE AT THE POLLS.

AND WE WILL TALK TO OUR GUEST'S ABOUT THAT.

ALSO, YOU WILL WANT TO STICK AROUND AFTER THE SHOW FOR A SPECIAL AT 7:30 P.M.

LOOKING AT THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER FIRST LADY ROSALYNN CARTER.

WE BEGIN WITH A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY FROM THE CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, SARAH CALLAN.

>> THIS SPECIAL SESSION STARTED WITH A BANG AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE REVIEWED NEW LEGISLATIVE MAPS PROPOSED BY REPUBLICANS.

THE SENATE AT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN DEMOCRATS IMMEDIATELY PROTESTED THE NEW PROPOSED MAPS.

THEY SAID THE PROPOSED MAPS DO NOT REMEDY THE ISSUES DETERMINED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

TOO MANY OF THE EXISTING MAJORITY -- >>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "LAWMAKERS."

ARM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN PLACE BECAUSE LAST MONTH U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE STEVE JONES ORDERED GEORGIA TO DRAW BLACK MAJORITIES AND ONE ADDITIONAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND TWO ADDITIONAL STATE SENATE DISTRICT AND FIVE ADDITIONAL STATEHOUSE DISTRICTS.

WE WILL DIG INTO WHY AND HOW THIS COULD AFFECT YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO THE POLLS.

WE WILL TALK TO OUR GUEST'S ABOUT THAT.

YOU WILL WANT TO STICK AROUND AFTER THE SHOW FOR A SPECIAL AT 7:30 P.M.

LOOKING AT THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER FIRST LADY ROSALYNN CARTER.

WE BEGAN WITH A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

>> Reporter: THIS SPECIAL SESSION STARTED WITH A BANG AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE REVIEW THE NEW LEGISLATIVE MAPS PROPOSED BY REPUBLICANS.

THE SENATE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN DEMOCRATS IMMEDIATELY PROTESTED THE NEW PROPOSED MAP.

THEY SAID THE PROPOSED MAP STILL DON'T REMEDY THE ISSUE DETERMINED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE AND MOVE TO MANY OF THE EXISTING BLACK DISTRICTS.

SOME OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATS PROPOSE THEIR OWN VERSION.

>> NOTHING, NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE VOTING POWER OF BLACK VOTERS IN THE AREAS IN WHICH THE COURT FOUND VOTING RIGHTS IN VIOLATION.

FOR THESE REASONS THAT WE ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STOP, CONSIDER AND ADOPT THAT DEMOCRATIC PROPOSAL THAT COMPLIES WITH THE COURTS ORDER.

>> IN THE SENATE, DEMOCRATS CONTINUE THEIR DISSENT OF THE REPUBLICAN PROPOSED MAPS BY CALLING THEM THIS AND GENUINE.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PROPOSED MAPS FAILED TO DO WHAT THE JUDGE ORDERED, AND FAIL ONCE AGAIN TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BY CONTINUING TO DILUTE THE POWER OF BLACK VOTERS.

>> SHOULDN'T SIT BY AND SAY NOTHING.

THOSE OF US WHO ARE BLACK HERE KNOW WHY WE WERE SENT HERE AND NO THAT MUCH BLOOD WAS SHED FOR OUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND FOR BLACK PEOPLE TO BE REPRESENTED.

WE NEED TO STOP PLAYING WITH THESE NUMBERS AND KEEP THESE NUMBERS AND TAG AND STOP DILUTING THE BLACK VOTE.

>> THIS AFTERNOON, REPUBLICAN- CONTROLLED SENATE COMMITTEE MADE THEIR TAKES FOR THE NEW MAPS.

>> WE BELIEVE WE REACHED THE THAN THOSE PRODUCED BY THE PLAN WHILE COMPLYING WITH EVERYTHING THE JUDGE REQUIRES.

THE 15 CHANGE DISTRICTS HERE ARE LESS THAN THOSE PROPOSED BY THE PLAINTIFF'S EXPERTS.

WE WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DISTRICT CORES IN A BETTER WAY THAN THEIR EXPERTS DID.

IT DID NOT EXHIBIT -- ELIMINATE ANY MINORITY OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

JUDGE JONES IS VERY CLEAR ON PAGE 510 THAT WE CANNOT ELIMINATE ANY EXISTING MINORITY OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT.

WHILE HE DOES NOT DEFINE THAT TERM, IT IS CLEAR THAT HE IS REFERRING TO THE MUSTANG -- DISTINCT MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT.

>> THE MEETING OPENED UP FOR REPUBLICAN COMMENTS.

>> WE ARE ASKING YOU TO ENSURE THAT THE LINES DRAWN ON THESE MAPS ARE A REFLECTION OF THE PEOPLE'S WILL, NOT THE SELECT FEW.

>> MORE FAIR AND ACCURATE MAPS HELP US REINVIGORATE MORE YOUNG BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS TO GET ENGAGED AND MOTIVATED THEM.

JOB TO PRIORITIZE FAIR AND ACCURATE MAPS TO GET THIS JOB DONE.

THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS IN GEORGIA ARE COUNTING ON YOU.

>> IT'S AN ABSOLUTE NEAREST ONE'S ABILITY TO ENACT THE MAPS THAT YOU WERE WARNED WERE FLAWED.

COSTING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER DAY.

CONTINUING THE DEFENSE IN THE SESSION WE ARE ENGAGED IN RIGHT NOW.

>> HOUSE APPROPRIATION CHAIR ROB LEVERETT SAID THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS CONSULTED WITH LAWYERS TO ADDRESS THE NEW HOUSE MAPS.

>> RECOMMENDING WE DRAW FIVE NEW MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND ONE OF THEM IN THE WEST METRO AREA.

TWO OF THEM ARE IN THE SOUTH METRO AREA.

TWO OF THEM ARE IN THE MACON AREA.

THIS PLAN DOES COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.

>> NOT EVERYONE WAS HAPPY WITH THE NEW HOUSE MAPS EITHER.

>> ALTHOUGH THE HOUSE MAPS MADE WIDESPREAD CHANGES TO THE PLAN THAT WAS PASSED IN 2028 CONTINUES TO PERPETUATE THE RACIAL GERRYMANDERING.

>> HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET A REAL TONE HERE FOR PROVIDING FAIR, NONPARTISAN MAPS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

THAT TONE CAN BE SET FOR THE FUTURE.

2030, LET'S SAY IT'S A DIFFERENT MAKEUP IN THE PARTY.

LET'S SET A TONE NOW.

DESPITE THE MAKEUP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE WILL HAVE FAIR, HONEST MAPS.

>> REPRESENTS A CRITICAL OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE FAIR AND INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION FOR ALL RESIDENTS.

AND NECESSITATES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THAT GOES BEYOND SOLELY FOCUSING ON MITCHELL AREAS.

WHILE THESE AREAS ARE UNDENIABLY IMPORTANT TO TO THE POPULATION AND INFLUENCE, IT'S EQUALLY ESSENTIAL TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE UNIQUE NEEDS, INTEREST IN DEMOGRAPHICS OF COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE THESE URBAN CENTERS INCLUDING THE BLACK BELT AND OTHER RURAL AREAS >> THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL CONTINUE REVISING AND DEBATING MAPS.

THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT.

NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SARAH.

JOINING ME TO EXPLAIN WHY THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION IS STEPHEN FOWLER WHO COVERED STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS.

AND THE BATTLEGROUND BALLOT BOX PODCAST.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE ALSO HAVE JOINING US VIA ZOOM, ALICIA HUGHES, VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AT EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

>> BLESSED TO BE WITH YOU.

>> LET'S START WITH YOU.

BRINGING VIEWERS KIND OF UP-TO- DATE ON THINGS.

JUST TWO YEARS AGO IN 2021, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS IN SESSION FOR A SPECIAL SESSION DEALING WITH THE CURRENT MAPS THAT ARE USED RIGHT NOW.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT TAKES PLACE HOW DID WE GET BACK HERE?

>> THE CENSUS HAPPENS EVERY 10 YEARS.

IT'S A MEASURE OF WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING, HOW THAT HAS CHANGED AND THE LEGISLATURE COMES TOGETHER TO REDRAW THE POLITICAL MAPS BASED ON WHERE THOSE CHANGES HAVE HAPPENED.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT NOTICED, GEORGIA HAS GOTTEN BIGGER OVER THE LAST DECADE.

ADDED OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE METRO ATLANTA AREA.

THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN ARE YOUNGER, MORE DIVERSE AND AS SUCH, THE MAPS HAVE CHANGED.

FEWER WHITE VOTERS, FEWER PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MORE RURAL AREAS.

THE STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS AND U.S. CONGRESS HOUSE MAPS WERE REDRAWN TO KIND OF REFLECT THAT CHANGE.

REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE PROCESS HERE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME REDISTRICTING DID NOT REQUIRE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL.

THE MAPS DID ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THE CHANGES IN GEORGIA.

SOME OF THE PLAINTIFFS AND DEMOCRATS ARGUED THAT THESE NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE WAY GEORGIA HAS CHANGED.

>> NOW WE WANT TO GET TO OUR LAW PROFESSOR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WITHOUT GETTING TOO MUCH IN THE WEEDS, LET'S START WITH THE RULING BY U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE STEPHEN JONES AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

>> THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965, PLAIN AND SIMPLE, ENSURES THAT THERE IS NOT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN VOTING AND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX AND THAT VOTERS ARE ABLE TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS, THERE'D TWO DECISIONS.

MAKING SURE YOU HAD A LITTLE SOMETHING TO FOWLER HAS TO SAY.

THE 2013 CASE.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN 2010 NEW VOTERS ACCORDING TO JUDGE JONES IN THE ATLANTA METROPOLITAN AREA.

484,000.

MOST OF THESE ARE BROWN VOTERS.

A SWELL OF BROWN VOTERS FROM EMPIRICAL CENSUS DATA.

YOU'VE SEEN THIS UP TO AND ALSO THE POPULATION OF CAUCASIANS IN THE ATLANTA METRO POLICY AREA.

DESPITE THIS THE MOTHER A NEW LINES DRAWN.

THIS HAPPENS EVERY SO OFTEN AREA THERE ARE TWO DECISIONS THAT STARTED TO ERODE .

PROTECTIONS PROVIDED BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF '65.

AND A 2013 ALABAMA CASE THAT EXTENDED TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THE CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT THAT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO PROTECT MINORITY VOTERS IN SOUTHERN STATES LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA, NORTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA.

NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LEGISLATURE --YES, REPUBLICANS ARE IN POWER AND THEREFORE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MAP.

BUT YOU'RE STILL SUPPOSED TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE AND THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

>> I WANT TO TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER.

I WILL TURN TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

YOU HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS RULING.

IT WAS QUITE LARGE.

MORE THAN 500 PAGES.

TALK ABOUT THE DISTRICTS THAT HE SAYS VIOLATED THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

>> NOT EVERY DISTRICT IN GEORGIA WAS LOOKED AT.

NOT EVERY DISTRICT WAS CHALLENGED.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DISTRICT THAT JUDGE JONES ORDERED MUST BE CREATED.

HE HIGHLIGHTED SEVERAL THINGS THAT VIOLATED THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BY PACKING TOO MANY BLACK DILUTE THE POWER OR TO SPREAD THEM ACROSS MULTIPLE DISTRICTS WERE THEY WERE NOT REALLY ABLE TO USE THAT POWER.

SO IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT -- >> LET'S LOOK AT A MAP.

THERE WERE SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE STATE THAT JUDGE JONES SAID VIOLATED THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THAT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW MAJORITY BLACK CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE SUBURBS.

IN THE STATEHOUSE, YOU HAVE SEVERAL DISTRICT, MAINLY IN ATLANTA'S SOUTHERN SUBURBS AND AROUND MACON WHERE THERE WERE VIOLATIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE WORK DONE.

WITH THE STATE SENATE, YOU ALSO HAVE IN THIS ATLANTA SOUTHERN SUBURBAN BELT WHERE THERE'S BEEN A HUGE OUTGROWTH OF BLACK VOTER POPULATION INCREASE AND A HUGE AMOUNT OF VOTERS THAT ARE STILL REPRESENTED BY MAINLY WHITE REPUBLICANS.

IT'S A LOOK AT THE LINES.

AND DATA.

SCORES PUT IN THERE TO REALLY PUT THE NUMBERS ON THE ARGUMENT THAT BLACK VOTERS IN GEORGIA DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO FULLY ELECT THE CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE.

NOW WE ARE HERE WITH A SPECIAL SESSION WITH THESE MAPS THAT AIM TO REMEDY THAT.

>> OKAY.

I LIKE THE WAY THE MAPS ACTUALLY SHOW THE AREAS THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE NOT AFFECTED.

SO PROFESSOR, GEORGIA IS NOT THE ONLY STATE FACING COURT ORDERS.

WHAT IS IT FIT IN THE BIG PICTURE WHEN IT COMES TO REDISTRICTING?

>> THINGS DON'T LOOK GREAT.

BUT THEY ARE NOT AS BAD AS THEY ARE IN, SAY, THE NEIGHBORING STATE OF ALABAMA.

HAS BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.

I THINK I SHOULD START THERE.

I APPLAUD GOVERNOR KAMPFER CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION AND PUTTING SOMETHING FORWARD THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT GEORGIA WILL ACTUALLY DRAW A MAP THAT TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION EVERYTHING THAT JUDGE JONES SAID IN HIS VERY NUANCED 516-PAGE OPINION.

I THINK WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA AND YOU CAN SEE IT FORESHADOW.

IF THEY DON'T GET THIS RIGHT WE CAN EXPECT THE APPOINTMENT OF A PET POTENTIAL'S PASTORAL -- SPECIAL MASTER.

THE SPECIAL MASTER WOULD THEN BE GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO DRAW THE DISTRICT THAT WOULD COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER.

WE COULD VERY WELL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION IN GEORGIA.

IF WE DON'T TAKE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.

IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR.

IF THE REPRESENTATION DOESN'T CHANGE MUCH WITH THE NUMBERS AND THE CHANGE OF THE NUMBERS RX SIGNIFICANT AS THESE NUMBERS.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING DOWN SOUTH, TAKING A LOOK AT FAYETTE COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE AND YOU HAVE AN INFLUX OF BLACK VOTERS HERE.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE?

WE KNOW THAT 91% OF THE TIME, BLACK VOTERS ARE VOTING DEMOCRAT.

AND THESE FOLKS ARE STILL REPRESENTED BY WHITE REPUBLICANS.

THAT'S NOT EXACTLY PROVIDING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE ATLANTA METROPOLITAN AREA WITH THESE VOTERS.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS APPROXIMATELY 760,000 VOTES.

SO WHAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE -- IF YOU COMPARE WHAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE BY LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS TO WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE, YOU KNOW HE HAS NOT YET GOTTEN HIS WAY.

>> THANKS FOR THAT.

LET'S GET QUICKLY TO THE MAPS THAT WERE RELEASED THIS WEEK.

WE SAW A HEALTH MAP.

THE PROPOSED HEALTH MAP HAS EIGHT INCUMBENTS PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER.

IN ONE DISTRICT, TWO REPUBLICANS COULD FACE EACH OTHER.

THOSE TWO LAWMAKERS RELEASED A JOINT STATEMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE FROM CONCORDE SAID THEY'RE BOTH COMMITTED TO REPRESENTING THEIR CONSTITUENTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING 2024 SESSION.

THEY EACH EXPRESSED ADMIRATION FOR EACH OTHER.

I WILL SAY REALLY QUICKLY , I WILL START WITH YOU, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

BUT IT DOES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE LAWMAKERS, DOESN'T IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS HAVE TO BE CREATED FROM SOMEWHERE.

YOU CANNOT JUST ADD LAWMAKERS.

NOT LIKE NEW HAMPSHIRE WHERE THERE'S 440 LAWMAKERS.

THEY HAVE TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.

DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE.

THE ORDER IS EXPLICIT ABOUT WHERE THESE DISTRICTS HAVE TO BE.

AND IN ORDER TO GROUP THOSE VOTERS, IT MEANS OTHERS HAVE TO HAVE THEIR LINES AND SHAPES.

THE SENATE MAP ACTUALLY DOES IT WITHOUT PAIRING THE INCUMBENTS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

NEW BOUNDARIES, NEW NUMBERS BUT THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO REPRESENT WITHOUT CHALLENGING THE EXISTING SENATOR.

THE HOUSE MAP MAKES EVERY NEW MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT.

THERE IS A PAIR OF INCUMBENTS SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT HAD TO FACE OFF WITH THIS WITH ONE EXCEPTION WHERE THE DISTRICT LINES REPRESENTED BY A REPUBLICAN WOULD NOT BE DEMOCRATIC.

IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION.

IN SOME WAYS MATHEMATIC , IN SOME WAYS CLINICAL AND OF COURSE, POLITICAL.

>> OF COURSE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IN THE COMING DAYS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

YOU ALL TAKE CARE AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> YOU, TOO.

>>> A DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER WHO COULD SEE HER DISTRICT CHANGE UNDER ONE OF THE PROPOSED MAPS.

SHE TALKS ABOUT THAT.

AND WE LEARN ABOUT THE MAPS THAT STATE DEMOCRATS HAVE CREATED.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

>> ON THE NEWS HOUR TONIGHT AT >> THE PBS NEWS HOUR.

YOUR SOURCE FOR NEWS YOU CAN TRUST.

ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS.

>> WHAT IS THE RESPONSE YOU ARE TRYING TO AVOID AT THIS POINT?

THEY HAVE ALREADY BOMBED CIVILIAN TARGETS AND HOSPITALS AND SO ON.

>> THE WORLD DOES NOT WANT VLADIMIR PUTIN TO USE A TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPON.

>> RIGHT NOW IT IS VERY MUCH IN THE HANDS OF THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

>> COVERING EVENTS AS THEY UNFOLD.

HOW LONG WILL FAME MAINTAIN A PRESENCE IN PALESTINE?

>> AS LONG AS IT TAKES.

>> ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING IN AMERICA.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TEST OF THE NEW HOUSE.

>> AROUND THE WORLD .

>> WHAT IS THE SCALE OF RUSSIAN CRIME?

>> EXPLORING POLITICAL DIVIDES.

>> VOTER INTEREST IS HIGH.

POLITICS HAVE BEEN INFUSED FROM THE START.

>> HIGHLIGHTING ISSUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> DID YOU EVER IMAGINE YOU WOULD BE FACING A MIGRANT CRISIS LIKE THIS IN YOUR OWN CITY?

>> NO.

>> NATIONWIDE CONTROVERSIES.

>> WHAT EVIDENCE OF FRAUD YOU HAVE?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE.

>> SHOULD WE MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT WHITE TAILED DEER ARE CARRYING THE VIRUS?

>> ADDRESSING CHANGES TO OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> AS WE EXPOSE MORE SHORELINES, WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE MORE DEATHS FROM TOXIC DUST BECAUSE THERE'S ARSENIC AND HEAVY METAL.

>> COMMITTED TO ARTS AND CULTURE.

>> THE MOST HONEST AND COMMITTED OUT THERE OR THE MOST >> NOT SELF-RIGHTEOUS.

>> THAT'S THE NEWS HOUR FOR TONIGHT.

>> ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE ATTRIBUTE TO FORMER FIRST LADY ROSALYNN CARTER TODAY.

>> MS. CARTER WAS WARM, WELCOMING, WISE AND WITTY.

WHENEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN HER PRESENCE I FELT LIKE IT WAS A GIFT.

>> SHE ADVOCATED THAT MENTAL ILLNESS AND PHYSICAL ILLNESS SHOULD BE TREATED EARLY.

AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THE GREAT STRIDES THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE IN THIS AREA.

>> ALL OF GEORGIA, IN FACT, MANY ACROSS THE WORLD AND IN OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY ARE MORNING THE PASSING OF ROSALYNN CARTER.

SUCH A GREAT AND DISTINGUISHED WOMAN.

MRS. CARTER SERVED HER STATE, COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY WITH THE UTMOST INTEGRITY, INTELLECT, COMMITMENT AND COMPASSION.

>> JOINING ME NOW IN THE STUDIO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU HEARD IN THE SOUND WE HEARD, A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR FROM ATLANTA.

SHE IS ALSO THE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

TO BE FAIR WE INVITED MULTIPLE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS BUT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO COME ON THE SHOW.

SO BACK WHEN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS TO LACE IN 2021, DID DEMOCRATS EXPRESS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON?

AND THEN WE SOUGHT THE COURT CHALLENGE.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT WE MIGHT SEE MORE COURT CHALLENGES EVEN AFTER THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE WAS FRUSTRATION IN 2021 BECAUSE ALL OF GEORGE'S POPULATION GROWTH IN THE DECADE HAD BEEN AMONG VOTERS OF COLOR.

IN THE MAPS THAT WERE ENACTED, THOSE VOTERS WERE NOT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES REFLECTIVE OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND VALUES.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMMENSURATE WITH THE GROWTH OF THEIR POPULATION.

I FEEL QUITE CONFIDENT THAT AT LEAST WITH THE SENATE MAPS, THE ONE I AM THE MOST FAMILIAR WITH THAT WE CERTAINLY --AND UNFORTUNATELY, WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK COURT CHALLENGES.

IF THE MAP THAT IS UNVEILED PASSES.

THE LITIGATION THAT HAS SPURRED SPECIAL REDISTRICTING SESSIONS, ALREADY SENT LETTERS AND TESTIFIED BEING VERY CLEAR THAT THE MAPS PROPOSED DOESN'T REMEDY THE VIOLATIONS FOUND BY THE COURT OR AT >> IT'S WHY I ASKED YOU THAT.

HURT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OF THAT TODAY AND THERE IS A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER THAT WE WILL GET TO BY THE DEMOCRATS AND THE SENATE.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU PERSONALLY ABOUT THIS AREA AND MAP DID COME OUT AND YOU ARE PERSONALLY AFFECTED.

IT WILL AFFECT YOUR DISTRICT.

YOU AND FELLOW SENATOR JASON ESTEVEZ.

YOU ARE BOTH IN WHITE MAJORITY DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.

THE PROPOSAL IS FOR MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU ARE FEELING ABOUT HOW THAT PLAYED OUT.

AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE EIGHT-DAY TRIAL WITH A LOT OF TESTIMONY, THERE WAS DILUTION OCCURRING, NOT ALLOWING BLACK RESIDENTS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE IN A VERY SPECIFIC AREA THAT THE LAID OUT VERY SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE AREA WAS IN THE SENATE USING THAT AS AN EXAMPLE.

THESE 10 DISTRICT ARE WHERE THE DILUTION IS HAPPENING.

THE CHANGES THAT YOU MENTIONED MADE TO MY DISTRICT AND THE SENATORS DISTRICT, ON PAPER, THEY MAY ARGUE THEY ARE NEW MAJORITY OR MINORITY DISTRICTS BUT THEY ARE WELL OUTSIDE WHERE THE VIOLATIONS WERE SPECIFICALLY FOUND BY THE COURT.

SO YOU CANNOT EVADE VOTING RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN ONE PART OF THE STATE BY CREATING MAJORITY OR MINORITY DISTRICT IN ANOTHER PART OF THE STATE.

THAT'S WHY THE LAWYERS ARE SAYING THESE SIMPLY DON'T COMPLY WITH THE COURTS ORDER.

>> IT DOESN'T.

WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS MOVE VOTERS AROUND AND RENUMBERED JUST WRECKED.

BUT UNDER THE SENATE PROPOSED ONLY ABOUT 3000 NEW BLACK VOTERS WHO WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.

SENATE DISTRICTS ARE 200,000 PEOPLE.

ALL THE OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN RESHUFFLED AND THERE ARE NO NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE NEW VOTERS IN AN AREA SPECIFICALLY FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL.

>> AS BEFORE AND 2021, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN MAP.

EARLIER TODAY THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THIS IS WHAT WE HEARD.

>> TO REMEDY THIS VIOLATION THE COURT ORDERED THIS DATE TO ENACT A MAP THAT HAS TWO ADDITIONAL MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT IN SOUTH METRO ATLANTA.

UNFORTUNATELY REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL FOR THE SENATE FAILS TO DO THAT AND FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OR THE JUDGE'S ORDER.

AND CONTINUES TO DILUTE THE POWER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS.

HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THE SENATE CAUCUS HAS A MAP THAT CAN COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC MAP?

>> QUITE SIMPLY, IT FOLLOWS THE COURT'S ORDER AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BY CREATING TWO NEW MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICTS IN THE AFFECTED AREA WHERE THE COURT ORDERED THEM TO BE REDRAWN.

THEN VERY SPECIFICALLY LAID OUT BY JUDGE JONES.

DON'T REMOVE GEORGIANS FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.

IN CONTRAST TO THE REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL WHICH PROVIDES A VERY PALTRY 3000 BLACK VOTERS A NEW OPPORTUNITY.

HOURS WOULD PROVIDE 105,000 BLACK VOTERS A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.

IN THE DISPARITY OF THOSE NUMBERS, I THINK IT REALLY ILLUSTRATES WHAT I'M SAYING ABOUT SHUFFLING A LOT OF VOTERS NUMBERS AND NOT ACTUALLY PROVIDING ANY NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR A MEANINGFUL NUMBER OF RESIDENCE IN THESE PACIFIC AREAS WERE A VOTING RIGHTS VIOLATION WAS FOUND.

>> FOR WE WRAP UP EMMA WILL YOU GET A CHANCE TO PRESENT THIS?

>> IT'S MY HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL COME OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND MINORITY LEADERS, WILL PRESENT OUR MAP TO THE COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

>> OKAY.

WE WILL LOOK FOR THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

WHILE WE ARE RUNNING THE SHOW, PLEASE STAY TUNED AS WE TAKE THE NEXT HALF HOUR TO REMEMBER THE FORMER FIRST LADY ROSALYNN CARTER.

JEFF HOLLINGER JOINS ME.

STICK AROUND.