Bill · H.R. 5426· House(119-HR-5426)
John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act
- Introduced
- 9/17/2025
- Last activity
- 9/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Steve Cohen
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act," aims to change how Congressional districts are drawn. It prohibits States from conducting more than one redistricting process following a decennial census and apportionment, unless required by a court. The Act mandates that States use independent redistricting commissions to develop these plans. If a commission's plan is not enacted, the State's highest court or a U.S. district court may select a plan. Additionally, the bill provides specific funding to States to help establish and operate these new commissions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill requires commissions to hold all meetings in public and maintain a website for timely information and public input.
Does this protect the right to vote?+6
The bill establishes independent commissions to reduce political bias and increase public transparency in the redistricting process.
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?+5
The bill mandates public meetings and an internet site with interactive software to increase public engagement in redistricting.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency and Public Access: The bill requires commissions to hold all meetings in public and maintain an internet site that provides timely information, including interactive software for the public to design their own plans (Section 4(a)(7) and 4(a)(8)).
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Public Input Opportunities: The Act requires commissions to actively solicit and consider comments from the public through meetings in various geographic regions and via the commission's website (Section 4(b)(3)).
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Reduces Political Bias in District Drawing: The commission is prohibited from considering the political party affiliation of a district's population or the residence of incumbent Members of the House when creating plans (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Standardized District Quality: The bill requires plans to adhere to the "one person, one vote" standard, prioritize geographic continuity of counties and municipalities, and maintain compact districts (Section 4(b)(1)).
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Financial Support for Implementation: The bill authorizes payments from the Election Assistance Commission to States to cover the costs of establishing and operating the independent redistricting commissions (Section 7(a) and 7(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limitation on Redistricting Frequency: States are prohibited from carrying out more than one Congressional redistricting after an apportionment, which could prevent changes unless a court intervenes to ensure constitutional compliance or enforce the Voting Rights Act (Section 2).
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Restrictions on Commission Membership: Individuals are ineligible to serve on a commission if they have held public office, run as a candidate, or served as an employee of a political party within a four-year period (Section 4(a)(3)(B)).
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Specific Restrictions on Post-Apportionment Actions: A redistricting plan can only be enacted if the legislature forwards it to the chief executive without any amendments (Section 4(c)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+6Improves Voting Access+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+2
- 9/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.