DNC Chair Ken Martin Applauds MO Democrats Hosting a Sit-In to Fight Back Against MO Republicans’ Scheme to Rig the Maps Arrow

Facing abysmal jobs numbers and approval ratings that remain constantly underwater, Donald Trump has turned to systematically attacking Americans' voting rights in a last-ditch effort to save his flailing congressional majorities. Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Republicans are the latest Republicans to cave to Trump's cynical orders to rig congressional maps ahead of critical midterm elections - while facing staunch opposition from Missouri Democrats and voters.

After Missouri Republicans refused to recognize their Democratic colleagues in their sham special session to gerrymander Missouri districts this week, Missouri Democrats Reps. Ray Reed, Jeremy Dean, and Elizabeth Fuchs refused to leave the chamber, staging a sit-in that continued through the weekend to protest. The DNC applauds these brave representatives and will fight arm and arm with Missouri Democrats and Democrats across the country with every tool at their disposal for fair representation in their states.

In response, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

"Missouri voters overwhelmingly oppose Donald Trump and Republicans' anti-democratic power grab. Last week, Missouri state representatives Ray Reed, Jeremy Dean, and Elizabeth Fuchs stood up for the voters whose civil liberties are now under threat from cowardly Republicans who would rather silence their voters than listen to their demands. Instead of backing down, they doubled down and hosted a 'sit-in' in the Missouri legislative chamber all weekend long. The DNC applauds their efforts leading and using every tool at their disposal to raise awareness for the craven scheme by Missouri Republicans. In every corner of this country, Democrats are fighting back. Missouri Democrats can count on the DNC's support as we protect Missouri voters and save our country from Trump's billionaire-first agenda."

Missouri voters are furious over Trump and Republicans' plot to gerrymander congressional districts.

Politico: "As Republicans in Missouri push forward with their plan to draw Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver out of his Kansas City seat, a new poll of voters in the state is against the mid-cycle redistricting effort."

My Northwest: "Trump-backed plan to redraw Missouri congressional districts draws opposition at first hearing"

"Missouri residents denounced a plan to redraw the state's congressional districts on Thursday as Republican lawmakers pressed ahead with President Donald Trump's strategy to bolster Republicans in next year's congressional elections.

"Dozens of people turned out for the first public hearing on a plan that would split up a Kansas City congressional district to give Republicans a shot at winning seven of Missouri's eight U.S. House seats. Republicans already hold six of those seats.

"'Kansas City does not want to be divided. We deserve representation and a voice,' said Kristen Ellis Johnson, an attorney from Kansas City who came to the Capitol with her husband and daughter. 'You are dividing the urban-dwelling, liberal-leaning population to purposely change those votes.'

"Missouri is the third state to join an emerging national battle between Republicans and Democrats seeking advantage in the way U.S. House districts are drawn."

In defense of voters, starting last week, Missouri Democrats staged a sit-in in the House Chamber, defying state Republicans as they attempted to pass rigged congressional maps.

KCTV: "Missouri Democrat threatens to stay in House Chamber 'as long as it takes' to get Republican leadership's attention"

"House Democrats vowed on the first day of the special session to make as much noise as possible in an attempt to block the new map. This quorum call and threats of camping out are part of that noise.

"'They don't want to talk about what they're doing because they know it's unpopular,' Dean said."