Article snippet: The Supreme Court on Monday refused an emergency appeal by Pennsylvania Republicans to block the implementation of a new court-ordered congressional map, a decision that all but assures that new district lines that make several races more competitive for Democrats will be in place for this year's midterm elections. The new boundaries are a boon for Democrats, who now have a stronger shot in as many as seven Pennsylvania congressional seats as they look to net 24 seats nationwide to win back the House. The boost for Democrats in those four districts — as well as improved numbers in other districts that are still seen as reaches for the party — comes as Democrats are increasingly emboldened that they can take back the House majority in 2018. “Pennsylvania Republicans now in a world of trouble. Dems already flipped one seat and, with the new map, will flip more,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) tweeted Monday, summarizing the Democratic Party’s optimism about the new map. The state's congressional district map has been at the center of controversy for months. The issue took center stage when the state Supreme Court ruled the old map an unconstitutional gerrymander and ordered it redrawn earlier this year. The state court gave the GOP-controlled legislature and the Democratic governor three weeks to agree on new lines. When the two sides failed to reach a compromise, the state Supreme Court drew its own map. Republicans have been challenging the map in court, arguing tha... Link to the full article to read more