Over Democratic objections, state lawmakers approved a plan to redraw and reduce the state's congressional districts, leaving Republicans with a firm advantage over their political counterparts.

The plan, worked out by legislative leaders after the House and Senate approved different plans, reduces the size of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation from 21 to 19, beginning with this year's elections. The decrease was dictated by sluggish population growth in the state. Two pairs of incumbents will have to face each other in elections due to the combining of districts.