North Carolina lawmakers approve maps creating gains for the GOP in Congress

While other senators look at the map on their computers, Republican Sen. Ralph Hise, top right, one of the sponsors of a congressional redistricting bill, speaks as the North Carolina Senate debates the bill Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C. (Chris Seward/AP)

North Carolina Republicans gave final approval Wednesday to new political districts that are likely to hand the party more seats in Congress next year.

The state's Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, does not have the power to veto the districts drawn by the legislature's GOP majority.