I am disappointed that the Supreme Court is endorsing the idea that professional, partisan politicians can overhaul their state’s Congressional map whenever they feel it will benefit them personally. This will lead to a free-for-all through which the party in power in any state capitol at any time can negatively impact the people’s business in Washington. Partisan gerrymandering promotes ideologically extreme views, shrinking the political center in Washington. Few in Congress are willing to work together to accomplish the goals the American people expect us to accomplish.
Mid-decade redistricting efforts are also an affront to the ‘one man, one vote’ principle established in the Baker v. Carr case that began in my home state of Tennessee. It is impossible to know where people live five years after the official Census, so there is no way to ensure each person is properly being represented.
This country needs to adopt serious redistricting reform that will give the people back their say over who represents them. We have 47 bipartisan co-sponsors for The Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act, which Sen. Tim Johnson has also introduced in the Senate. It would set national minimum guidelines for states to follow in establishing district lines. We propose independent commissions in each state to draw district lines only once a decade.