White House invites Indiana GOP state lawmakers for policy talks

INDIANAPOLIS- Indiana House and Senate Republicans confirmed Friday that the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs invited their caucuses to talk with senior officials in Washington, D.C., later this month.




The meeting is part of a series of meetings the Trump Administration is holding with delegations from several states. While redistricting is not officially on the list of topics Indiana lawmakers will discuss with federal policymakers, some state legislators have said they're preparing for that conversation.




"I hope that we have an honest conversation about what the plans are that affect us-not just two years down the road, but maybe more of a long-term approach," State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Indianapolis) said.




According to Rep. Haggard, he's one of at least 20 Indiana House Republicans heading to the White House to discuss ways they can work together to further the Trump Administration's goals.




"What can we do on a state level with state legislation that can help promote that agenda to keep that moving, whether that's cutting spending, doing things more fiscally responsible," Rep. Haggard said. "I like the fact that this administration is involving the states and working with us on legislation to bring the country back on track."




The visit comes as Indiana Republicans consider redrawing Congressional lines mid-decade. Earlier this month, Vice President JD Vance met with Statehouse leaders in Indianapolis to discuss redistricting. The meeting was held behind closed doors.




"I think each caucus leader is taking the temperature there, and the comments I've heard are like 'Hey, be careful,'" Gov. Mike Braun said. "Here, you need to make sure you're probably doing something that makes sense, not something that has a purely political motive."




This week, MAGA commentator Charlie Kirk put the heat on Indiana Republican leadership to redistrict mid-decade. In a post to X, Kirk said:




"Are Indiana House Speaker @tmhuston and Senate President [sic] @bray_rodric going to ignore President Trump, the majority of their voters, and the GOP Grassroots across the country by REFUSING to redistrict Indiana's Congressional Seats?




"Let's hope they are better than that!"




In response, State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Indianapolis) posted:




"I'm an Indiana State Representative. In Indiana, Republicans hold about 90% of all LOCALLY elected offices, have had a supermajority in both House and Senate since 2012, have the Governors [sic] office and every state elected position, and every state elected position, and have 7 of 9 Congressional districts. Please help me understand the push to pick up MAYBE 1 Congressional seat while putting many good state elected officials at risk because of a political redistricting stunt!"




Earlier in the week, State Rep. Daniel Lopez (R-Indianapolis) said on X that he's a "hard no" when it comes to redistricting early:




"I have heard from several folks and want to be clear on my position. I am a hard "no" on potential efforts to redraw electoral maps in Indiana mid-decade. Just a few years ago, our General Assembly undertook the complex redistricting process based on up-to-date census data, drawing fair maps that ensure every Hoosier vote counts. We should stand by that work. I am looking forward to the next legislative session and continuing to focus my energy and attention on issues that matter most to Hoosiers."




A spokesperson for the Indiana Senate Republicans confirmed the caucus received White House invitations before the Vice President's visit, and that the invitations did not mention redistricting as a topic of discussion.




Still, Rep. Haggard said he wouldn't be surprised if the topic of redistricting came up.




"Obviously, it's gaining a lot of momentum, national news, local, state news...it wouldn't surprise me at all if it came up from either people on our side asking questions or somebody from the White House," Rep. Haggard said.




University of Indianapolis Professor Laura Wilson said it's hard to imagine redistricting wouldn't naturally come into a conversation at some point.




"I don't know that our governor will make any moves towards calling a special session-nor would the legislators ultimately convene after being called to that-until we see what happens in this conversation," Wilson said. "The timing is certainly curious, if coincidental."




According to IU Professor Jody Madeira, redistricting conversations at the White House could fall under legally gray territory. Under the Hatch Act, federal officials (except the President and Vice President) cannot discuss campaign-related items or strategies while acting in their official capacities.




"Basically, federal employees can't use official authority or influence to affect an election...these federal employees can't engage in political activity while they're on duty or in a federal building," Madeira said.




"The tricky thing is that it's likely going to have a lot of subjectivity," Wilson said. "As often happens in politics, the people that support it will say, 'It didn't violate the Hatch Act, this is perfectly fine;' those that disagree, of course, will see it in another light."




Statehouse Democrats have repeatedly said that any move to redistrict early is a waste of taxpayers' money.




"To not address problems that we had that we were hanging in the previous session, like property taxes, it would be a poor call all the way around," State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) said.




In a statement, Indiana House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) said:




"I am thankful for the ten or so Republican lawmakers who have already spoken out saying that redrawing our congressional maps this year is wrong. I echo their sentiments. If President Trump is so afraid of the voters, he should have passed popular legislation instead of a law that will kick Hoosiers off their health care, make kids go hungry and give billionaires a huge tax break.




"Not a single Hoosier Republican was asking for redistricting before the White House forced the issue. All we've heard from our constituents since this became an issue is that they are opposed. To my Republican colleagues, I ask: Are you going to listen to Hoosiers or are you going to bow to Donald Trump?"




Rep. Haggard said he is paying for his own trip out-of-pocket, and that each individual legislator will need to pay for their own expenses associated with the visit.




"This burden is not on the taxpayer," Haggard said.




The White House meeting will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 26.



via: https://fox59.com/news/politics/white-house-invites-indiana-gop-state-lawmakers-for-policy-talks/