“I support the creation of independent, bi-partisan commissions in every state to oversee the drawing of all Congressional districts after each decennial census. Last Congress I introduced legislation to do just that. Redistricting reform should not be undertaken in a state-by-state piecemeal or ad-hoc fashion. A state-by-state approach rewards those that have used, and will continue to use, redistricting as a partisan political tool. Instead, a uniform redistricting standard for all states levels the playing field for all states regardless of which political party may control a state’s legislature.

In California, we must also remember that our voters have already spoken out against piecemeal redistricting numerous times. By forcing California’s voters to accept a piecemeal plan, we risk diluting their representational strength in Congress and may strengthen the hand of those who do not have California’s interests at heart.”