House Republicans have pushed through a
redistricting plan that critics say would cut the number of white Democrats in the 122-member body.

House members voted 70-49 Thursday for the plan.

House Elections Chairman Bill Denny, a Jackson Republican, says the changes preserve black-majority districts and reflect population shifts
since the last U.S. Census.

The vote came after a long debate that at times seemed most about Democrats laying the groundwork for a lawsuit.

The debate included a vote that turned down an alternative map offered by Rep. Omeria Scott, a Laurel Democrat.

Republicans, holding a majority for the first time since Reconstruction, drew a map matching five pairs of House members.

Of those pairings, four are likely to eliminate a sitting Democrat, and one is likely to eliminate a Republican.