The Tennessee House of Representatives turned into absolute chaos Thursday after lawmakers approved a new congressional map that eliminates Democrats’ long-held advantage in the state’s 9th District.

The newly approved map redraws congressional lines around Memphis, splitting the area into multiple districts and effectively ending what had been Tennessee Democrats’ only reliably safe seat in Congress.

And judging by the reaction inside the chamber, Democrats did not take the news well.

After the map officially passed, Democratic lawmakers reportedly erupted in shouting across the House floor, with tempers boiling over as Republicans moved forward with the redistricting plan.

Apparently “defending democracy” suddenly becomes a lot less exciting when voters outside one carefully protected district might actually get a say.

Supporters of the new map argue the changes create more balanced representation across the state and reflect Tennessee’s broader political makeup, which has increasingly favored Republicans in recent years. Critics, meanwhile, accused Republicans of targeting Democratic voting power in Memphis.

The dramatic outburst quickly became another example of the growing political tensions surrounding redistricting battles nationwide, where both parties routinely fight to protect favorable districts whenever they hold power. But conservatives were quick to point out that Democrats rarely complain about district maps when they benefit from them in blue states.

For years, Tennessee’s 9th District served as the Democratic Party’s lone stronghold in the state’s congressional delegation. Now, Republicans believe the updated map opens the door for more competitive elections and broader representation across the region.

Despite the chaos and shouting inside the chamber, Republican lawmakers pushed the measure through, signaling that Tennessee’s political landscape may be shifting even further toward conservative control heading into future elections.