Congressional Representation Act

increasing the number of members in the House of Representatives to ensure that the ratio of representatives to the population reflects the original intent of equal representation as outlined in the U.S. Constitution

Purpose: This bill proposes increasing the number of members in the House of Representatives to ensure that the ratio of representatives to the population reflects the original intent of equal representation as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. The expansion of the House will address the growing disparity between the U.S. population and the number of congressional representatives.

Findings

• Historical Precedent:
  The Reapportionment Act of 1929 established the cap on the number of House members at 435. At that time, the population was approximately 121 million. Since then, the population of the United States has grown to more than 331 million, yet the number of House representatives has remained the same.

• Need for Expansion:
  A larger Congress would help ensure that all citizens are more fairly represented. The average number of constituents per representative has increased drastically, leading to situations where representatives may struggle to effectively serve such large numbers of people. The result is an underrepresentation of many communities and a less responsive government.

Increase in House of Representatives

• New House Size: The number of members in the House of Representatives will be increased to 1,180 to restore the original intent of equal representation for all citizens. This increase is designed to bring the representation ratio closer to what it was at the time the original House cap was set.

• Justification for 1,180 Representatives: Based on population growth and the number of constituents per representative, an increase to 1,180 members would better reflect the population size and ensure each representative has a more manageable constituency, allowing them to better serve their communities.

• Reapportionment Process: The House will be reapportioned according to the population of each state based on the most recent census. New districts will be drawn as necessary to accommodate the increase in the number of representatives, ensuring fair and balanced representation across the nation.

Implementation Timeline

• Effective Date: The expansion will be implemented by the next congressional election cycle, following the passage of the bill and the redrawing of congressional districts.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Expansion: Increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court to 15 to better reflect the current population size and improve the Court’s efficiency in handling cases.

• Congressional Expansion: Increase the number of representatives in the House of Representatives to 1,180 to restore more balanced representation and improve responsiveness to the growing population.

• Population-based Justification: Both bills are grounded in historical analysis comparing the U.S. population in 1869 (when the Supreme Court cap was set) and 1929 (when the House cap was established) to the current population. The aim is to restore a more equitable ratio of representatives to citizens, ensuring more effective and fair governance.