H.R. 5426 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, Sep 17, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryIndependent commissions would redraw voting districts
This bill would require each state to set up an independent redistricting commission to draw new congressional voting districts instead of letting politicians do it. If a state's commission creates a plan but the legislature doesn't pass it, the state's highest court could choose the commission's plan. If the court doesn't act, a federal court would step in and create a plan instead. States also couldn't redraw districts again until after the next census, unless a court orders it to fix constitutional problems.
How it affects you
If you live in a state, this would change how the lines around your congressional district get drawn—moving that decision away from elected officials toward independent commissioners and courts. The goal is to reduce the ability of politicians to choose their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives. The federal government would also provide money to states to pay for the redistricting process.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 17, 2025)
John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act
This bill establishes requirements regarding congressional redistricting, including that redistricting plans must be developed by an independent redistricting commission.
A state that has been redistricted after an apportionment of Representatives may not be redistricted again until after the next apportionment, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct a subsequent redistricting in order to comply with the Constitution or enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Each state must establish an independent redistricting commission to develop redistricting plans that meet specified criteria. If such a plan is not enacted into law, a state's highest court may select a plan developed by the state's commission. If the state court does not select a plan, a U.S. district court must develop a plan.
The Election Assistance Commission must make payments to states to carry out redistricting.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5426
A BILL
John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) · Introduced Sep 17, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 17, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 10
- Sec. 1Short Title; Finding of Constitutional AuthorityNo change
- Sec. 2Limit on congressional redistricting after an apportionmentNo change
- Sec. 3Requiring Redistricting to be Conducted Through Plan of Independent State Commission or Plan of Highest State CourtNo change
- Sec. 4Independent Redistricting CommissionNo change
- Sec. 5Selection of Plan by CourtsNo change
- Sec. 6Special Rule For Redistricting Conducted Under Order of Federal CourtNo change
- Sec. 7Payments to States For carrying out RedistrictingNo change
- Sec. 8State Apportionment Notice DefinedNo change
- Sec. 9No Effect on Elections for State and Local OfficeNo change
- Sec. 10Effective DateNo change