No more delays for congressional redistricting bill in House, Pea-Melnyk says
Republicans won a second delay Thursday in the progress of a bill to redraw the state’s congressional districts before this fall’s midterm elections, but House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk made it clear that the latest delay would be the last.
“OK, so tomorrow, the chair will not allow a second layover on this bill,” Peña-Melnyk said from the rostrum. “So, let’s be clear, you have amendments, you bring them tomorrow, and we will discuss this bill tomorrow. Make sure that you submit them. There will not be a second layover on this bill.”
The House began preliminary debate on House Bill 488 Thursday, just two days after it was passed out of committee — and less than a week after introduction of the legislation that was unveiled as a “conceptual” map on Jan. 21. If Peña-Melnyk sticks to her schedule, the bill could be heading to the Senate next week.
Peña-Melnyk’s warning followed about an hour of debate covering a single Republican amendment Thursday. The House leader praised the chamber for its civility on what she described as an emotional issue for both parties.
https://marylandmatters.org/2026/01/29/no-more-delays-for-congressional-redistricting-bill-in-house-pena-melnyk-says/