John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act

# John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would establish new national standards for how congressional districts are drawn after each census. The legislation aims to remove partisan influence from the redistricting process by requiring independent commissions in each state to redraw district lines, rather than allowing state legislatures to do so. The bill would also set criteria for how districts should be drawn, such as favoring compact shapes and respecting existing community boundaries. **Who It Affects:** This bill would impact every state and all members of Congress, as redistricting directly determines which voters are grouped together in congressional districts.

It would particularly affect state legislatures, which currently control the redistricting process in many states, and voting rights advocates on both sides of the political spectrum who debate the fairness of current district maps. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not advanced further through Congress. The bill is named after two former Tennessee congressmen—Democrat Jim Cooper and Republican John Tanner—suggesting it's intended to appeal across party lines, though it currently has Democratic sponsorship. With no further action recorded, passage would require committee approval and support from both chambers of Congress.