Terri Sewell makes statement on approved congressional map

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) has made remarks in a statement following the recently approved congressional map that adds a new district in a way that she said was fairer to black voters. 

Sewell has been a vocal advocate for the map, which has undergone several hearings and revisions before being adopted on Thursday. The map adds a second congressional district after it was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court that the previous map violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

The redistricting, however, has not gone without criticism. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that the map would create "racial" gerrymandering and violates the U.S. Constitution. 

See below for the statement made by Sewell: 

“After numerous hearings, three Supreme Court rulings, and unprecedented defiance by state officials, the voters of Alabama finally have a fair congressional map!

“While we celebrate this historic victory, the continued resistance that we face from state officials should not be lost on anyone. This long and arduous battle over Alabama’s congressional map serves as a solemn reminder that efforts to deny fair representation to Black and minority voters are still alive and well.

“Now more than ever, we must restore the FULL protections of the Voting Rights Act. We need the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and we need it now.”