The Supreme Court grappled Monday with a years-old, messy legal battle over Louisiana’s congressional districts during an oral argument in which several of the court’s conservatives questioned whether the state had violated the Constitution because of its focus on race.

Several conservative justices were skeptical that the Voting Rights Act’s attempts to redress past discrimination can coexist with the Equal Protection Clause.

The outcome will also determine if Democrats or Republicans have the advantage in the disputed district in the 2026 midterm elections, which will decide control of the closely divided House.Start the day smarter.