The Missouri House advanced new congressional maps on Tuesday that could grant the GOP an additional U.S. House seat ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The proposed boundaries aim to shift Missouri’s delegation to seven Republicans and one Democrat, compared to the current six Republican and two Democratic representation.
The map dismantles the 5th Congressional District, currently led by Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, redrawing it into a more conservative district. The measure passed the House 90-65, with some Republicans opposing the plan. It now moves to the state Senate, where Republicans hold a majority.
President Trump praised the vote, calling it a “much fairer” map that would allow Missouri voters to elect an extra Republican in 2026. “This new Map will give the wonderful people of Missouri the opportunity to elect an additional MAGA Republican,” he stated. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, mandated the redistricting special session after Texas Republicans finalized their own map, which could add five GOP seats nationwide.
Cleaver condemned the effort as an “unconstitutional attack” on democracy, arguing it would “silence voices” and undermine representation. He claimed the changes would let “politicians— not the people—decide the outcome.”
The plan now faces approval in the Missouri Senate, where Republican leadership has pledged support.
