Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/18pdf/18-422_9ol1.pdf
Page Number: 38.0

Cite as:  588 U. S. ____ (2019) 

33 

Opinion of the Court 

Clause.  The  first  bill  introduced  in  the  116th  Congress 
would  require  States  to  create  15-member  independent 
commissions  to  draw  congressional  districts  and  would 
establish  certain  redistricting  criteria,  including  protec-
tion  for  communities  of  interest,  and  ban  partisan  gerry-
mandering.  H. R. 1, 116th Cong., 1st Sess., §§2401, 2411 
(2019).

Dozens  of  other  bills  have  been  introduced  to  limit 
reliance  on  political  considerations  in  redistricting.    In 
2010,  H. R.  6250  would  have  required  States  to  follow
standards  of  compactness,  contiguity,  and  respect  for
political  subdivisions  in  redistricting.  It  also  would  have 
prohibited  the  establishment  of  congressional  districts
“with the major purpose of diluting the voting strength of 
any person, or group, including any political party,” except
when  necessary  to  comply  with  the  Voting  Rights  Act  of 
1965.  H. R.  6250,  111th  Cong.,  2d  Sess.,  §2  (referred  to 
committee).

Another  example  is  the  Fairness  and  Independence  in 
Redistricting  Act,  which  was  introduced  in  2005  and  has
been  reintroduced  in  every  Congress  since.    That  bill 
would  require  every  State  to  establish  an  independent 
commission to adopt redistricting plans.  The bill also set 
forth criteria for the independent commissions to use, such
as  compactness,  contiguity,  and  population  equality.    It 
would  prohibit  consideration  of  voting  history,  political 
party affiliation, or incumbent Representative’s residence.
H. R.  2642,  109th  Cong.,  1st  Sess.,  §4  (referred  to
subcommittee).

We  express  no  view  on  any  of  these  pending  proposals. 
We simply note that the avenue for reform established by 
the  Framers,  and  used  by  Congress  in  the  past,  remains 
open. 

No one can accuse this Court of having a crabbed view of 

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