H.R.2797 - House Expansion Commission Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2797, the House Expansion Commission Act, proposes establishing a commission to study and develop proposals for expanding the House of Representatives. The bill highlights the increasing population represented by each member of the House since the 1929 cap of 435 members. The commission would study various aspects of expansion, including its impact on representation, costs, and logistical challenges.
The commission would be composed of 13 members appointed by the Speaker and minority leader of the House, as well as the majority and minority leaders of the Senate. It is tasked with submitting a report to the President and Congress within two years, including proposals for expanding the House and addressing potential challenges.
The bill authorizes appropriations as necessary to carry out the Act, and the commission would terminate 90 days after submitting its report.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2797 would lead to a comprehensive study of the potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding the House of Representatives. This could result in a proposal to increase the number of representatives, potentially leading to smaller congressional districts and increased constituent access.
However, it could also lead to increased government spending and logistical challenges associated with a larger House. The actual effect depends on the commission's findings and any subsequent legislation enacted based on its recommendations.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Representation: Smaller districts could lead to better representation of constituents' interests.
- Increased Public Access: More representatives could improve public access to and engagement with their elected officials.
- Enhanced Diversity: Expansion could create opportunities for greater diversity in the House.
- Bolstering Article 1 Function: An expanded House may better serve Congress' core function.
- Better Exercise of Powers: An expanded House of Representatives can better exercise the powers vested in Article I of the Constitution.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Costs: Expanding the House would require additional funding for salaries, offices, and staff.
- Logistical Challenges: Accommodating more members would pose logistical challenges related to office space, meeting rooms, and voting procedures.
- Potential for Gridlock: A larger House could potentially exacerbate political gridlock and make it more difficult to pass legislation.
- District Size Variance: Expanding the number of members of the House of Representatives may affect district size variance across States and impact underrepresented constituencies.
- Ability to Enact Laws: The potential effects of an expanded House of Representative on the ability of the House to enact laws.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which outlines the composition of the House of Representatives and apportionment among the states. While the Constitution does not explicitly define the size of the House, it mandates that representatives be chosen by the people of the several states.
The proposed commission aims to study whether an expanded House can better exercise the powers vested in Article I of the Constitution. The act does not violate any specific constitutional provision, as it merely establishes a commission to study the issue and make recommendations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).