The Tennessee legislature approved a new congressional redistricting map Thursday that significantly alters the state's 9th District, currently represented by Rep. Steve Cohen, the sole Democrat in Tennessee's nine-member House delegation.

The new map divides Cohen's Memphis-based district, which has a majority-Black population. The redistricting effort follows a Supreme Court ruling that reduced protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, giving states more latitude in drawing electoral boundaries.

Cohen criticized the redistricting plan as "shameful" and announced his intention to challenge the map in court. The congressman represents a district that has been reliably Democratic, and the new boundaries are expected to make the seat more competitive for Republican candidates in November's election.

The redistricting process sparked protests inside the Tennessee Capitol as the legislature debated the measure. Democrats and voting rights advocates have raised concerns about the impact on minority voting power in the Memphis area.

Tennessee joins other states nationwide in redrawing congressional districts following the 2020 census. The redistricting process has become increasingly partisan, with both parties seeking to maximize their electoral advantages through strategic boundary drawing.

Legal challenges to redistricting maps have become common, with courts serving as the final arbiter in disputes over whether new boundaries comply with federal voting rights protections and constitutional requirements for equal representation.