H.R. 2797: House Expansion Commission Act

The House Expansion Commission Act aims to establish a commission tasked with studying and developing proposals for expanding the size of the House of Representatives. This proposal comes in response to changes in the U.S. population and concerns about representation as each representative currently serves a significantly higher number of constituents than in the past. Here are the key components of the bill:

Purpose

The bill seeks to address the following:

• The number of current House members is fixed at 435, a limit established in 1929.
• The U.S. population has grown from approximately 123 million in 1929 to about 346 million, leading to an average of nearly 800,000 constituents per House member today.
• Estimates suggest that by 2050, the average congressional district may represent about 829,000 constituents.
• There is a growing movement advocating for increasing House representation to enhance public access to lawmakers and improve constituent services.

Establishment of the Commission

The bill establishes the U.S. House of Representatives Expansion Commission, comprising 13 members who are not currently part of Congress. The appointment process involves:

• 5 members appointed by the Speaker of the House.
• 5 members appointed by the House Minority Leader.
• 1 member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, with previous House experience.
• 1 member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, also with House experience.
• 1 Chairperson appointed jointly by the Speaker and Minority Leader.

Duties of the Commission

The Commission's responsibilities will include:

• Studying the current size of the House and examining its relationship to fair representation and efficacy.
• Assessing the pros and cons of a one-time vs. recurring expansion of House seats.
• Investigating mathematical models and historical precedents for increasing representation.
• Analyzing the financial and logistical implications of expanding the House, including office space and staffing needs.
• Consulting with relevant federal officials and experts during the review process.

Report and Proposals

Within two years of its first meeting, the Commission is required to submit a report to the President and Congress that includes:

• Findings on how to expand the House of Representatives.
• Potential strategies for improving representation.
• Solutions to challenges that may arise from such expansion.

Meetings and Operations

The Commission will operate under guidelines that allow it to:

• Hold hearings and sessions as needed.
• Access official data from federal agencies to support its study.
• Utilize volunteer services and postal resources for administrative functions.

Funding and Termination

The bill authorizes necessary appropriations to support the Commission's activities. The Commission will terminate 90 days after submitting its final report.

Relevant Companies

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