TANNER: SUPREME COURT RULING AFFIRMS POLARIZATION THAT CRIPPLES CONGRESS' WORK

Says national reform needed to return Congress to the people

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. Supreme Court ruling endorses the partisan redistricting practices that have led to nearly crippling political polarization in Congress, U.S. Rep. John Tanner said today.

“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,” Tanner said. “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,” Tanner continued. “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.”

Tanner authored “The Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act,” which would set national minimum guidelines for states to follow in establishing district lines. The bill, which has 47 bipartisan co-sponsors, would establish independent commissions in each state to draw district lines only once a decade, following the release of census information. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced the same bill in the Senate.

# # #

Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714