The Missouri House advanced new congressional maps on Tuesday that could grant Republicans an additional U.S. House seat ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The proposed boundaries aim to shift the state’s delegation to seven Republican representatives and one Democrat, altering the current balance of six Republicans and two Democrats.

“The Missouri House has OVERWHELMING passed their new U.S. Congressional map, 90-65, cutting Democrats down to ONE SEAT,” journalist Nick Sortor wrote, highlighting the vote that fragmented the 5th Congressional District, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver. The redistricting effort follows similar moves in Texas, where Republicans reconfigured maps to add five seats, and California, where Democrats countered with a plan to favor their candidates.

The measure now proceeds to the Missouri Senate, where Republicans hold a majority. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe praised the initiative, calling it a “Missouri FIRST” effort to ensure representation aligns with state values. President Trump lauded the map as a “much fairer” system, vowing to “watch closely” for its approval.

Cleaver condemned the redistricting as an “unconstitutional attack” on democracy, arguing it undermines voter choice and entrenches partisan control. “This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices,” he stated.