Elections committee approves redistricting maps

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Republican-led Michigan House Redistricting and Elections Committee has approved a proposed map that would redraw congressional districts in the state.  The measure was approved along party lines Tuesday and advances to the House floor.

Republicans will have the most control over the redistricting process because they hold the majority in the state House and state Senate. The GOP also has an edge on the Michigan Supreme Court if the plans wind up facing legal challenges.

Michigan will lose one of its congressional seats as part of the redistricting process. The state will have 14 U.S. Houses in the 2012 election.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Sander Levin of Royal Oak and Gary Peters of Oakland County's Bloomfield Township would end up in the same district under terms of the Republican-backed map.