[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 14 (Friday, January 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF JOHN TANNER FAIRNESS AND INDEPENDENCE IN REDISTRICTING 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 27, 2017

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the John Tanner Fairness 
and Independence in Redistricting Act, a bill I introduced earlier 
today.
  The President of the United States has said our elections are 
``rigged.'' When it comes to the drawing of Congressional districts, he 
may well be right.
  In most states, districts are drawn by the state legislature, and as 
a result, whichever party controls the state legislature ends up 
drawing Congressional districts specifically designed to maximize the 
number of Congressional seats that party can win.
  In other words, the elected officials choose the voters, instead of 
the voters choosing the elected officials.
  If enacted, the John Tanner Fairness and Independence in 
Redistricting Act would fix this by requiring states to use bipartisan 
redistricting commissions to draw maps. No single party would get to 
control the process.
  Historically, both parties have engaged in gerrymandering to some 
extent or another. But that does not make it right.
  In a representative democracy, the people need to be able to freely 
and fairly choose their elected representatives.
  Unfortunately, that is not always happening.
  In 2012, Democrats received more than 1.1 million more votes across 
the country than Republicans for the House of Representatives, but 
because of the way the maps were drawn, Republicans won almost 54 
percent of the House seats.
  In 2016, it has been estimated that Republicans won approximately 51 
percent of the votes cast across the country for the House of 
Representatives, but won more than 55 percent of the House seats.
  This is not what the Founders envisioned. They designed the House of 
Representatives to be the Congressional chamber that most accurately 
reflects the views of the people.
  The failure of the House to more accurately reflect the will of the 
electorate is a formula for the electorate to lose faith in the 
institution. It makes people cynical and discourages them from 
participating.
  We can do better.
  A democracy is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas. The playing 
field is supposed to be fair and competitive, not gerrymandered and 
monopolized.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and help restore some much 
needed faith in Congress.