Topic: Supreme Courty

Tanner legislation seeks to ease political partisanship

June 25, 2009 |

FAIR Act Would End Political Gerrymandering

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. John Tanner (D-TN), Mike Castle (R-DE), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Baron Hill (D-IN), along with U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) are joining with redistricting reform advocates to end gerrymandering – the political power grab that too often cripples Congress’ ability to work together on bipartisan solutions.

They introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Fairness and Independence in Redistricting (FAIR) Act at a Capitol Hill press conference with redistricting reform advocates and grassroots leaders, including Americans for Redistricting Reform. Tanner has sponsored similar legislation since 2005.

“We must reform the system so the people can elect their representatives instead of allowing politicians to select their constituents with computer software based on strictly political considerations,” Congressman Tanner said. “When politicians draw district lines, it often favors political partisanship and self-protection over public interest. Gerrymandered districts breed partisanship and discourage Members of Congress from working across the aisle on real solutions to the challenges facing our country.”

“The political center continues to disappear, and fewer Members are willing to work across the aisle,” Congressman Castle said. “Instead we are seeing increased identification with political parties and issues driven and debated from the more extreme ideologies. Curbing this trend isn’t impossible; we can make a difference with this legislation.” «Read the rest of this article»

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