CUELLAR ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BIPARTISAN REDISTRICTING LAWS
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Feb 5, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Lesley Lopez,
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX 28) announced his support of two proposed legislative items that would greatly reduce Congressional gridlock by reforming the partisan redistricting process. The two bills, which would put an end to political gerrymandering, have been introduced by fellow Blue Dogs, Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee and Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina .
“Partisan gerrymandering creates a system where politicians choose voters– instead of voters choosing the representatives,” said Congressman Cuellar. “As a lifelong resident of Texas , a state which will gain four Congressional seats as a result of the 2010 Census, I urge members of Congress to support this important legislation and reduce partisan gridlock.”
Congressman Shuler introduced H.R. 453, the “Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act,” to set new minimum standards for states redrawing districts. Each state will be required to establish a bipartisan redistricting commission to redraw congressional district maps only once every 10 years based on principles outlined in the bill.
“The current system of gerrymandered districts has left a patchwork of highly-partisan, ideologically skewed Congressional districts, where Representatives are more beholden to their political party than the constituents they were elected to serve. These gerrymandered districts often result in representatives from both extremes of the political spectrum being elected to Congress who cannot or will not work together for the benefit of all,” said Shuler.
Congressman Cooper introduced H.R. 419, the “Redistricting Transparency Act of 2011,” which allows the public to participate in the redistricting process by requiring open hearings and a public website in each state.
“Both Democrats and Republicans want to minimize the number of competitive districts,” said Congressman Cooper. “Today, there are only 91 politically balanced districts out of 435, but both parties want even fewer. The political map-drawers know how to split neighborhoods, houses, and even, in theory, double beds. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. No one should be against transparency.”
