|
Redistricting Legislation
in the U.S. Congress
January 2004
The U.S. Congress has full authority to regulate legislative redistricting
for House races. Historically Congress indeed did pass laws setting national
standards, but since the 1920s, very few standards are in place; the primary one
is a 1967 law requiring one-seat districts, which ironically prevents states
from using the one alternative that truly could eliminate gerrymandering:
statewide elections with a full representation system.
In recent years, Congress has hardly even considered legislation to set
national standards for redistricting. Until the early 1980s, there were more
serious efforts to reform redistricting a the national level. Following is a
review of bills introduced since 1973. To see more information on individual
bills, click on the links below, or search on the Thomas
website by bill number or subject.
108th
Congress (2003-2004)
HR
2090: This bill is titled "To limit the redistricting that States
may do after an apportionment of Representatives" and was introduced on May
14, 2003, by Rep. Maxine Waters of California (with 19 cosponsors). It would
limit redistricting to every ten years, unless a state must redraw lines in
order to comply with the 1965 Voting Rights Act or is ordered to do so by a
federal court. Referred to House Subcommittee on the Constitution 6/25/03. No
further action taken.
107th
Congress (2001-2002)
HR
1189: Would have allowed for states to establish multi-seat districts as
long as they adhered to certain requirements in order to ensure full
representation. Introduced by Rep. Cynthia McKinney from Georgia (along with 3
cosponsors) on March 22, 2001. Referred to the committee on the Judiciary and
the Committee on House Administration. No further action taken.
106th
Congress (1999-200)
HR1173:
Would have granted states that do not have single-member districts the right to
their choice of two redistricting systems. Sponsored by Rep. Melvin Watt of
North Carolina (with 16 cosponsors) on March 17, 1999. Referred to the House
Committee on the Constitution -- Hearing held 9/23/99. No further action taken.
HR 5679:
Would allow for states to establish multi-seat districts as long as they adhere
to certain requirements in order to ensure full representation. Introduced by
Rep. Cynthia McKinney from Georgia (no cosponsors) on December 15, 2000. Referred
to the House Committee on the Judiciary 12/15/00. No further action taken.
105th Congress (1997-1998)
HR 3068:
Would allow for states to establish multi-seat districts as long as they adhere
to certain requirements in order to ensure full representation. Introduced by
Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia (with 13 cosponsors) on November 13, 1997. Referred
to House Subcommittee on the Constitution 12/16/97. No further action taken.
104th Congress (1995-1996)
HR 1096:
This bill would have prohibited the intentional creation of legislative
districts based on race, color or language minority status of voters within such
districts. Introduced by Rep. Gary Franks of Connecticut (no cosponsors). Referred
to House Subcommittee on the Constitution 3/15/95. No further action taken.
103rd Congress (1993-1994)
HR 4637:
Would have prohibited any political jurisdiction from intentionally creating any
electoral district in order to prevent or assure a majority in such district of
people of a particular race, color, national origin, or who speak a particular
language. Introduced by Rep. Henry Bonilla of Texas (no cosponsors) on June 23,
1994. Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights 7/5/94.
No further action taken.
102nd Congress (1991-1992)
HAMDT 532 to HR
2039: This amendment prohibits legal services agencies from using any
funds authorized in the bill to participate in any redistricting activities.
Sponsored by Rep. Charles Stenholm of Texas on May 12, 1992. Agreed to on
5/12/92.
101st Congress (1989-1990)
HR 1711:
Would have provided for the establishment of redistricting commissions in states
entitled to a reapportionment of Representatives and set forth requirements to
be met by congressional districts established by redistricting commissions,
including that they should be composed of contiguous, compact territories and
their boundaries should coincide with the boundaries of local political
subdivisions. Introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (WI-9) on March 5, 1989. Referred
to House Committee on Judiciary 4/5/89. No further action taken.
98th Congress (1983-1984)
HR 3468: This legislation would have set regulations on redistricting
procedures, including requiring that districts be contiguous and not be drawn in
order to favor specific political parties or individuals or deny effective
voting representation to any language or racial minority groups. Introduced by
Rep. Rinaldo (no sponsors) on June 29, 1983. Referred to House Subcommittee
on Monopolies and Commercial Law 7/7/83. No further action taken.
97th Congress (1981-1982)
HR 2349: Would have set redistricting requirements, including that
districts have reasonable numeric equality and not be drawn so as to favor
certain political parties or individuals or to deny effective voting
representation to any language or racial minority groups. Introduced by Rep.
Leach (with 37 cosponsors) on March 5, 1981. Referred to House Subcommittee
on Monopolies and Commercial Law 4/10/81. No further action taken.
HR 5529: Would have set regulations for redrawing districts, including
that they be compact, drawn with regard to natural and geographic boundaries,
coincide with boundaries of local political subdivisions and have relatively
equal populations. Would also prohibit drawing district boundaries in order to
favor certain political parties or individuals or to deny effective voting
representation to any language or racial minority groups. Introduced by Rep.
McClory (with one cosponsor) on February 10, 1982. Referred to Subcommittee
on Monopolies and Commercial Law 2/16/82. No further action taken.
96th Congress (1979-1980)
HR 1516: Would have required that compact, contiguous
districts be established no later than three years after the most recent
decennial census and that any state legislature could establish standards to
enforce fair and effective districts. Introduced by Rep. Leach (with 47
cosponsors) on January 25, 1979. Referred to House Subcommittee on
Monopolies and Commercial Law -- Hearings held 11/14/79. No further action
taken.
HR 2653: In
states entitled to more than one representative, would have required districts
to have reasonable numeric equality and that a redistricting commission be set
up in order to publish a redistricting plan. Introduced by Rep. Hanley (with 29
cosponsors) on March 6, 1979. Referred to House Subcommittee on Monopolies
and Commercial Law -- Hearings held 11/14/79. No further action taken.
S
596:
Would have prohibited the redrawing of
congressional districts so as to dilute the voting strength of any language or
racial minority group. Introduced by Sen. Danforth (with 3 cosponsors) on March
8, 1979. Referred to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs -- Hearings
held 6/20/79. No further action taken.
95th
Congress (1977-1978)
HR
14025 / HR 14262: In states entitled to more than one
representative, would have required districts to have reasonable numeric
equality and that a redistricting commission be set up in order to publish a
redistricting plan. Introduced by Rep. Hanley on September 8, 1978. No
further action taken.
HR
14311:
Would have required that compact, contiguous
districts be established no later than three years after the most recent
decennial census and that any state legislature could establish standards to
enforce fair and effective districts. Introduced by Rep. Leach (with 21
cosponsors) on October 12, 1978. No further action taken.
94th
Congress (1975-1976)
HR
1753:
Requires states to submit a redistricting plan no
later than three years prior to the census date and ensure that the plan is
developed in a nonpartisan manner. Introduced by Rep. White (with one cosponsor)
on January 20, 1975. Passed in the House and Senate, became Public Law 94-171
on 12/23/75.
93rd
Congress (1973-1974)
HR
5042:
Would have directed states to form redistricting
commissions in order to produce a redistricting plan and ensure that districts
have reasonably equal population sizes and provide for fair representation for
all people, communities of interest, city, suburban and rural areas. Introduced
by Rep. Hanley on March 1, 1973. Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary
3/1/73. No further action taken.
HJRES
249:
Proposed an amendment to the Constitution
requiring districts to contain substantially the same number of citizens.
Introduced by Rep. Davis (WI - no cosponsors) on January 29, 1973. Referred
to House Committee on the Judiciary. No further action taken.
HR
8291 (see also HR 8500, HR 8983):
Would have required the establishment of compact,
contiguous congressional districts. Introduced by Rep Helsoski (with 23
cosponsors) on June 26, 1975. No further action taken.
HR
14998:
Would have prohibited states entitled to more
than one representative from redrawing districts more than once every ten years.
Introduced by Rep. Maguire on August 2, 1976. No further action taken.
|
