Problem Solvers Caucus Unveils Bipartisan Gerrymandering Reform Framework

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) along with Gerrymandering Working Group Co-Leads Reps. Jeff Hurd (CO-03) and Ed Case (HI-01) announced the Caucus’ endorsement of its bipartisan Gerrymandering Reform Framework. This comprehensive proposal restores trust in the congressional redistricting process, reduces partisan manipulation, and incentivizes better representation in Congress.  

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, the framework affirms that strengthening our democracy begins with ensuring voters can choose their representatives as opposed to politicians choosing their voters. It recognizes that recurring partisan gerrymandering has eroded public confidence in our elections, increased political polarization, and reduced accountability in Congress.

To address these challenges, the Caucus endorsed a framework establishing five principles for congressional redistricting: 

  • Stability and predictability in representation;
  • Transparency and public confidence in the map-drawing process;
  • Fair and consistent application of standards across states;
  • Respect for communities and political subdivisions; and
  • Reduction of incentives for partisan manipulation.

The framework also identifies four bipartisan reforms designed to create a more transparent, fair, and consistent process for drawing congressional districts nationwide.

The framework includes four core reforms:

  • Once-a-Decade Redistricting: Restrict congressional redistricting to once every ten years following the decennial Census.
  • Nationwide Uniform Standards: Require congressional districts to be drawn using clear, objective criteria while rejecting partisan advantage and incumbent protection as legitimate goals.
  • Reducing Partisan Influence: Support approaches that minimize partisan influence, including independent commissions, algorithmic mapping, and other mechanisms that promote public confidence.
  • Federal Resolution of Challenges: Establish a consistent federal process for resolving congressional redistricting disputes.

Read the full framework

Gerrymandering By The Numbers

Over the coming months, the Problem Solvers Caucus will develop these principles into common-sense legislation and continue to build a coalition of elected officials, election experts, special masters, legal scholars, and stakeholders from across the political spectrum.

“Representative government works best when voters choose their elected officials—not the other way around. As co-lead of this bipartisan working group, I’m proud we’ve developed a framework that promotes transparency, fairness, and public confidence in the redistricting process. Fairly drawn districts help keep members accountable to the people they represent, strengthen our institutions, and encourage the kind of practical, results-oriented leadership Americans expect,”said Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Co-Lead of the Problem Solvers Caucus Gerrymandering Working Group

“Our Problem Solvers Caucus is about facing and solving our toughest challenges and making our government work,’’ said Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), Co-Lead of the Problem Solvers Caucus Gerrymandering Working Group. “The worsening redistricting wars are a direct obstacle to a representative, inclusive, functioning and trusted government, and a solution must be a priority. Our Caucus’ endorsed framework lays out the guideposts of real reform and demonstrates that even the toughest and most political issues can be solved on a bipartisan basis.”

“Congressional districts should be drawn to fairly represent communities, not to guarantee victories for one political party or another. That's why I support the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus framework to end partisan gerrymandering, whether it's attempted by Republicans or Democrats, and ensure that voters choose their representatives instead of politicians choosing their voters. If we're serious about restoring trust in our elections and reducing polarization, then we need a fair, transparent redistricting process that puts the American people ahead of partisan politics.” said Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01), Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Gerrymandering Working Group.

“This framework represents our bipartisan belief that, in a democracy, voters should choose their representatives, and not the other way around,” said Congresswoman Dingell (MI-06), Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Gerrymandering Working Group. “After the next census in 2030, we must restore redistricting to what it was always meant to be: a process for the people and by the people — not a political weapon used to rig outcomes before a single vote is cast. And it should be a process that happens once every ten years. Michigan has shown that independent citizen-led redistricting can put fairness, transparency, and voters ahead of politicians. This cycle has shown how easily redistricting can be manipulated for partisan gain when politicians put power ahead of the public’s trust.”

“Two hundred and fifty years after our nation’s founding, we are reminded that American self-government rests on one enduring principle: the people are sovereign,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “That principle is diminished when congressional lines are drawn to protect politicians, predetermine outcomes, or reward the extremes at the expense of the broad center of the country. Redistricting reform demands a single standard, applied fairly to both parties, because both parties have been drawn into the same race to the bottom. If we want a Congress that is more accountable, more representative, and more capable of solving problems, we must change the incentives that drive dysfunction. This bipartisan framework is a serious step toward restoring trust, ending partisan manipulation, and ensuring that voters—not politicians—remain at the center of our representative democracy.”

“Gerrymandering is bad for America,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “It weakens the will of the voters, erodes public trust, and creates safe seats that reward extremism and disincentivize thoughtful, bipartisan collaboration. I’m proud our caucus is leading on this framework to take politics out of redistricting and restore confidence in a system where voters choose their representatives, not the other way around.”

"Every voter deserves confidence that elections are fair, transparent, and free from partisan manipulation. Gerrymandering undermines trust in our democratic process by allowing politicians to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives. I'm proud to support the Problem Solvers Caucus' bipartisan framework to provide clear redistricting standards, get rid of partisan tricks to draw new maps every year, and help restore public confidence in our elections,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17)

“The American people deserve a redistricting process that is transparent and fair. For far too long, partisan gerrymandering has empowered ideological extremes and eroded the bipartisan cooperation that is essential to solving our nation’s toughest challenges,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA‑24). “I’m proud to join my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues in introducing this framework, which represents an important step toward restoring public confidence in the redistricting process.”

“The American people are tired of seeing the political agendas of elected officials dominate the congressional map-making process,” said Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07). “Stability, objectivity, and fairness should be the priorities when it comes to determining district lines. That’s why I’m supporting commonsense reforms that focus on putting the voice of the people back at the center of this process by ending mid-decade redistricting and establishing clear standards that would be upheld in the federal court system.”

“Our country is worse off when political parties focus on picking their voters, rather than simply serving the people they represent,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). “The rules for drawing a district should be the same in all 50 states. Yet gerrymandering is deepening political divisions at a time when the exact opposite is needed, and I’m proud to be part of this bipartisan coalition fighting back against such slimy tactics.”

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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split evenly between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation.