REAL House Act Restoring Equal and Accountable Legislators in the House Act
Impact
The main intention of HB622 is to maintain or increase the number of representatives per state to prevent dilution of individual state representation in Congress. By establishing a hold harmless number, the act ensures that no state will lose representatives compared to their allocated numbers from previous censuses. This could potentially lead to a more equitable representation reflecting the demographic changes across the country, addressing concerns about states with growing populations being underrepresented.
Summary
House Bill 622, known as the 'Restoring Equal and Accountable Legislators in the House Act' (REAL House Act), proposes to increase the number of members in the House of Representatives to 585 starting from the 2030 Census. The bill seeks to amend the existing apportionment rules to ensure that states retain their representation levels after each decennial census. This initiative is a response to population growth and the increasing need for fair representation across the United States.
Contention
Discussions around HB622 could revolve around the implications of increasing the number of representatives on governmental logistics and operations. Critics may argue that expanding the House will complicate the legislative process, making it less efficient, while supporters may contend that it is essential to address the needs of a growing population. There may also be concerns about the costs associated with accommodating additional representatives, including office space and resources necessary for their function within Congress.