Some in GOP threaten to deny votes on map

A faction of Ohio House Republicans is threatening to withhold their votes for a new congressional map unless they get support for an anti-vaccine mandate bill.

State Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, said while there is push back from some Republicans, he believes ultimately the GOP will pull together the 60 votes needed. Cross supports the map bill.

House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, said the map is scheduled for a vote today and he expects it to pass.

“We are continuing to have dialogue about how to address the vaccine issue,” Cupp said.

Cupp declined to say whether he is willing to move an anti-vaccine mandate bill to get Republican votes for the redistricting legislation, which would establish boundaries for Ohio’s 15 congressional districts for the next 10 years.

Cupp needs 60 votes from his caucus to adopt Senate Bill 258. When he put the brakes on a bill restricting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and expanding exemptions, more than a dozen Republicans signed a discharge petition to force a floor vote.

The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee voted along party lines in favor of SB 258 on Wednesday, despite complaints from Democrats.

Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, criticized the proposed map and the process used to draw it. “It is not fair, bipartisan or transparent.”

The Ohio Senate voted along party lines Tuesday in favor of the new Congressional district map. Failing to get Democratic support, the map would expire after elections in 2024 instead of 2030.

The House is expected to take a floor vote on the map bill today.