Congressman Jim Cooper, co-sponsor of The Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act:

“There are two things you don’t mess with – my wife and my district, and not necessarily in that order. I didn’t invent that saying; that’s a long-time piece of wisdom from the Tennessee legislature. But that shows how strongly many politicians feel about their district. I felt it personally. I used to represent a congressional district that touched four states. If I’d only had two more counties, it would have touched 6 states – a big long stretched-out district. To call it a gerrymander would have been a compliment.

“Three things have happened: 1) the natural political tendency to gerrymander; 2) computer software – If you haven’t seen the software yet, you can divide neighborhoods, you can divide houses, you can probably divide the double beds if you wanted to, to get down to people’s voting preferences; and 3) the Baker v. Carr influence. I think this is the most fundamental reform Congress can take to improve this institution.”

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