Democratic lawmakers reacted strongly Wednesday after Republicans in the House of Representatives approved a new congressional map that did not add a second majority Black district to fix what the U.S. Supreme Court said was a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act.

“This was an opportunity for the state of Alabama to be on the right side of history,” Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, said. “Once again, the state decided to be on the wrong side of history. It reminds me of hearing the discussion that my elders would tell us years ago when I was a child. We’re fighting the same battle that they were fighting 100 years ago. Fifty years ago. Forty years ago. Right here today.”

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 8 that Alabama’s current congressional map, with one majority Black district out of seven, most likely violates the Voting Rights Act in a state where one-fourth of residents are Black. A three-judge federal district court ordered the Legislature to approve a new map by Friday.

After a three-hour debate Wednesday, the House approved a map that maintains District 7 as Alabama’s only majority Black district. The vote was 74-27, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposed.

The plan, by Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, increases the Black voting age population in District 2 to 42%. Pringle said District 2 would meet the court requirement to create a second majority Black district or one close to majority Black, a district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a vote of their choice.

Seventeen Democratic lawmakers came to the House floor to argue against the map. They said it showed a disregard for the court’s ruling and for Black voting rights.

The House rejected an alternative map that would have created two majority Black districts, a map supported by the plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case.

“Once again the state, the supermajority, decided that voting rights of Black people are nothing that this state is bound to respect,” Chestnut said. “And it’s offensive. It’s wrong. And this type of vote, it dehumanizes a people. It dehumanizes, a struggle.

“Worst of all, it shows Alabama still has the same recalcitrant and obstreperous mindset that it had 100 years ago. The only way we’re going to come out of that is we have to change on our own and not be once again compelled and forced by the federal courts.”

The Senate is scheduled to consider a similar plan starting Wednesday afternoon.