Missouri Supreme Court upholds GOP-friendly congressional map 

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously rejected challenges to a Republican-friendly congressional map on Tuesday that is expected to hand the party an additional House seat in the midterms. 

The rulings landed just hours after the court heard oral arguments in three underlying lawsuits attempting to block the new lines.

“This Court’s review of the Missouri residents’ appeals is limited to determining only the legality – not the prudence or popularity – of the map,” Chief Justice W. Brent Powell wrote in one of the rulings. 

It paves the way for Republicans’ map that would break up Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s (D-Mo.) seat to go into effect this November. It’s set to give the GOP an additional pickup opportunity in the House, building on the seats the party redrew to its liking in other red states.

Tuesday’s decision is the final word unless the U.S. Supreme Court somehow intervenes. The lawsuits concern rules embedded in Missouri’s........

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