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House of Representatives? Hardly.
May 21, 2001
The following
�Dear Colleague� letter was sent by the office of Rep. Alcee
Hastings to other Members of the U.S. House of
Representatatives.
Dear
Colleague:
In the past 90 years, the U.S. has become the second most
underrepresented democracy in the entire world, but the size of the House of
Representatives has remained the same. In the past 90 years, U.S.
population has more than tripled, but the size of the House of
Representatives has remained the same. In the past 90 years, four
states have joined the Union, but the size of the House of
Representatives has remained the same. In fact, in the past 90
years, Congress has addressed permanently increasing the size of the
House of Representatives only once.
While the
U.S. claims the title �Leader of the Free World,� after India, it is
the least representative democracy in the world! If you don�t believe me,
just look at how the U.S. House of Representatives compares to other
democratic country�s representative bodies:
|
1 |
British House
of Commons |
659
Members |
1 Member per
90,288 people |
|
2 |
Canadian
House of Commons |
301
Members |
1 Member per
103,924 people |
|
3 |
South Africa
National Assembly |
400
Members |
1 Member per
108,553 people |
|
4 |
German
Bundestag |
669
Members |
1 Member per
123,752 people |
|
5 |
Austrailia
House of Representatives |
148
Members |
1 Member per
129,521 people |
|
6 |
Japan
Shugi-in |
500
Members |
1 Member per
253,100 people |
|
7 |
Russia State
Duma |
450
Members |
1 Member per
324,447 people |
|
8 |
Nigeria House
of Representatives |
360
Members |
1 Member per
342,605 people |
|
9 |
Brazil Camara
dos Deputados |
513
Members |
1 Member per
467,190 people |
|
10 |
U.S.
House of Representatives |
435
Members |
1
Member per 645,632 people |
|
11 |
Indian Lok
Sabha |
552
Members |
1 Member per
1,836,963 people |
The effect that an increase in the size of
the House of Representatives will have on the American political
system is obvious.
Increasing the size of the House will result in a reduced
amount of campaign spending, smaller Congressional districts, more
personal interaction between Members of Congress and their
constituents, and most importantly, better representation for the
American people.
On
February 23, 2001, I introduced H.R. 506, a resolution to create a
commission to study the size of the House of Representatives and the
method by which representatives are chosen. I invite you to become a
cosponsor of this essential piece of legislation aimed at putting
the power back into the hands of the people. If you would like to become
a cosponsor or have any questions, please contact me or David
Goldenberg on my staff at 5-1313.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
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