Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Problem Solvers Independent Commissions Act
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill requires states to handle their congressional redistricting through independent commissions instead of letting the state legislature draw the maps. The commissions must be made up of an equal number of members from the state's largest political party, second largest political party, and unaffiliated members. Commissioners are chosen through an open application and random selection process, with strict rules to keep out recent politicians and lobbyists. The bill sets clear map-drawing criteria, such as requiring equal population, contiguous districts, and the preservation of political subdivisions and compactness. If the commission cannot agree on a final plan, the highest court in the state will step in using special masters.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Does this make elections run better?
By replacing partisan legislative map-drawing with balanced independent commissions, the bill significantly improves the integrity and fairness of congressional elections.
- Scored +7
Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists?
The bill explicitly bars recent lobbyists from serving on redistricting commissions and prohibits private communication between commissioners and lobbyists.
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation requires all commission meetings to be open to the public, live-streamed, and supported by extensive public disclosures of data and research.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The legislation preempts state laws by mandating that states establish independent commissions for congressional redistricting rather than allowing state legislatures to handle it as they see fit.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fairer Representation: Section 4(a)(2) mandates that no congressional district can be drawn to discourage competition or to favor or disfavor an incumbent, candidate, or political party. This is a positive step because it prevents politicians from picking their own voters through gerrymandering and gives everyday citizens a real voice in competitive elections.
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Open and Transparent Government: Section 3(e)(1) and Section 4(b) require an open application process for commissioners and mandate that the commission hold public meetings and take public input. This benefits the people by making the map-making process transparent and ensuring the public has a direct say in how their communities are represented.
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Balanced and Independent Decision Making: Section 3(a) ensures that independent redistricting commissions are balanced with equal representation from the state's top two political parties and unaffiliated members. This is good for the people because it stops any single party from taking total control of drawing district lines and brings balance to the process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Delays and Court Intervention: Section 4(f) outlines a special process where existing districts temporarily remain in place and the state's highest court may appoint special masters if the commission fails to enact a plan on time. This could cause burdens or confusion for voters and candidates if the new maps are delayed close to election filing deadlines.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — By replacing partisan legislative map-drawing with balanced independent commissions, the bill significantly improves the integrity and fairness of congressional elections. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires all commission meetings to be open to the public, live-streamed, and supported by extensive public disclosures of data and research. Does this limit the influence of paid lobbyists? — The bill explicitly bars recent lobbyists from serving on redistricting commissions and prohibits private communication between commissioners and lobbyists. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The legislation preempts state laws by mandating that states establish independent commissions for congressional redistricting rather than allowing state legislatures to handle it as they see fit.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill requires independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional maps that encourage competition and prohibit favoring or disfavoring candidates or political parties, protecting voters' voices. Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — Open application processes and public meetings for redistricting commissions make participating in the electoral process more transparent and accessible.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York