The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear challenges to Texas' congressional redistricting that resulted in Republicans winning 21 of the state's 32 seats and landed former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in a heap of trouble.

DeLay helped engineer the map that the changed the delegation's mix from 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans to 21-11 in favor of the GOP, after he had raised funds to help Republicans gain a majority in the Texas House so it could redraw congressional boundaries.

The AP has reported that justices will consider a constitutional challenge filed by various opponents, hearing two hours of arguments -- likely in April -- in four separate appeals.

Among the challenges is the timing of the redistricting, which was a redo of previous redistricting that followed the 2000 census. The Texas boundaries were first redrawn by a court and later by state lawmakers -- after Republicans had gained a majority and the speaker in the Texas House. 
DeLay, who promoted the redo, stepped down as majority leader after being indicted in Texas on state money laundering charges related to corporate funds being funneled through the national Republican party to candidates for the Texas House.

The Justice Department approved the redrawn Texas map, although staff lawyers questioned whether it diluted minority voting rights.

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