The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked federal judge Stephen Clark’s ruling that requires the Missouri Secretary of State to use 2025 congressional maps approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature.
Thursday morning’s decision means Judge Clark’s ruling is essentially stayed while an appeal moves forward in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. It’s still unclear if the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case.
Meantime, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) to appear before them in-person this morning in Jefferson City on why he should not be held in contempt. An oral argument is underway. The Missouri Supreme Court says it wants to know from Hoskins why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for violating the court’s injunction issued Thursday and how the Missouri Supreme Court’s injunction is still not in full force.
Judge Clark’s temporary restraining order (TRO) would have essentially required Secretary Hoskins to use the congressional map approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature in September 2025. The Missouri Supreme Court issued a 7-0 decision on Thursday that ordered that Secretary Hoskins use 2022 congressional district map.