HR2797-119

What This Bill Does

The House Expansion Commission Act responds to the fixed 435-member House and the growth of the average congressional district to roughly 800,000 constituents. It creates a 13-member commission appointed within 90 days: five members by the Speaker, five by the House minority leader, one former House Member each by the Senate majority and minority leaders, and a chair selected jointly by House leaders. Members cannot be sitting Members of Congress, and appointing authorities are told to seek practical or academic expertise in politics, government, mathematics, or statistics. The commission must study one-time versus recurring expansion, Cube Root Law and Wyoming Rule models, district-size variance, underrepresented constituencies, costs, offices, staff, support entities, voting, House administration, comparative international experience, and the 1929 apportionment framework. It must consult the Architect of the Capitol, GSA, House Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, and Clerk, then submit proposals within two years after its first meeting. It can hire staff, obtain agency details, hold hearings, collect evidence, use mail, contract for supplies, and terminates 90 days after submitting its report.

Who Benefits and How

Underrepresented constituencies benefit because the commission must study how expansion could affect district-size variance and representation. House institutional reform advocates benefit from a formal study of the Cube Root Law, Wyoming Rule, recurring expansions, and other expansion methods. Congressional operations offices benefit because the bill requires practical evaluation of offices, staffing, support entities, voting, administration, and funding. The President and Congress benefit from a report with proposals and implementation challenges rather than only a symbolic call for expansion.

Who Bears the Burden and How

House party leaders must appoint qualified commission members within 90 days. The Architect of the Capitol must consult on space and facilities implications of a larger House. General Services Administration staff must provide reimbursable administrative support if requested. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of commission staff, hearings, travel, contracts, and operations funded by necessary appropriations.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a 13-member U.S. House of Representatives Expansion Commission.
• Requires study of House size, fair representation, expansion models, costs, logistics, district variance, and lawmaking effects.
• Directs consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, GSA, House Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, and Clerk.
• Requires a report to the President and Congress within two years after the first meeting.
• Terminates the commission 90 days after report submission and authorizes necessary appropriations.