[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 23 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REINTRODUCTION OF THE CONGRESS COMMISSION ACT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 8, 2021

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise to reintroduce the Congress 
Commission Act of 2021. This bill establishes the bipartisan 
Congressional Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy to 
study and make recommendations on membership of the House of 
Representatives, the methods by which representatives are elected, and 
how to ensure opportunities for greater constituent and representative 
engagement.
  The United States is the least representative democracy out of all of 
our international peers. It has been over one hundred years since the 
representative chamber has increased in size. During those intervening 
years the United States has added four additional states, the 
population has expanded exponentially, and the extension of voting 
suffrage means our national electorate looks vastly different than it 
did in the early twentieth century. And yet, over the course of more 
than a century, there has been insufficient effort to consider or enact 
changes to House membership that could improve how such population 
growth in number and diversity are reflected by federal 
representatives. Too many years have passed us by without any serious 
consideration of how our nation's growth and progress is reflected in 
the People's House.
  We have in front of us an overwhelming amount of evidence 
illustrating the need for reform of the House of Representatives. Just 
last year, our fellow Americans took to the streets and ballot boxes 
demanding change and we came close to admitting a new state to our 
union. The completion of the 2020 Census provides us essential data on 
the population of the nation and the growing, disparate ratio of almost 
750,000 Americans to each Member of the House. This is just the 
average. One Member may represent anywhere from almost 530,000 
constituents, up to over 1,050,000 constituents. This Commission will 
determine if such a disparity in districts' populations ensures the 
just and equitable representation our chamber is intended to provide 
each citizen and district.
  While I speak to the challenges of our current membership structure, 
ultimately the Commission to Strengthen Representative Democracy is not 
required to change the size of the House, voting methods for 
Representatives, or any other House process or assembly. I expect my 
colleagues that will participate on the Commission will execute their 
duties justly, judiciously, and with the intent of what is best for our 
constituents and our nation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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