Caucus Problem Solvers RSS Articles

Problem Solvers Caucus Members Share Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, we remember the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the unity our country found in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Problem Solvers Caucus members share where they were that day, what they remember, and why we must never forget.

Click HERE to watch.

What They’re Saying: Problem Solvers Caucus Gerrymandering Reform Framework

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Problem Solvers Caucus released a bipartisan Gerrymandering Reform Framework to address our nation’s rampant partisan redistricting. The framework received overwhelming support from the Caucus, and following its introduction, democracy organizations, political experts, and other stakeholders came forward to endorse the initiative.

Here’s what they’re saying:

"Redistricting has become a race to the bottom, and over the last 12 months we've watched both parties speed it up. If we stay on this path, everyone loses; voters most of all. A consistent, fair process would change that. It would lower tensions between the parties and give Americans confidence that their voices actually count. The Problem Solvers Caucus framework is a strong first step, and we're glad to keep working with lawmakers on both sides to get this right for American democracy," says Michele Stockwell, President, Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

“Election Reformers Network fully supports and commends the bipartisan redistricting initiative of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Partisan insider control over election districts denies our elections the life blood of competition, accountability, and choice and undermines government of, by, and for the people. We are the last republic on the planet to permit this damaging, undemocratic practice. Congress can fix this problem, and this initiative of the Problem Solvers Caucus can lead the way,” says Kevin Johnson, Executive Director, Election Reformers Network.

“Gerrymandering is one of the problems best suited to bringing lawmakers together to put the national good over party interest. Problem Solvers Caucus has come up with one of the best and most promising reform frameworks yet. It respects the Constitution, concentrates on areas where law can make a difference, and - importantly - doesn’t get caught up in the bad or unworkable ideas that often circulate on this subject,” says Walter Olson, Cato Institute.

"We are in the midst of an unprecedented gerrymandering arms race, and voters agree: they should pick their politicians, not the other way around. The Problem Solvers Caucus's reforms offer a real, bipartisan fix for the dysfunction gerrymandering has caused in Congress. Issue One is proud to stand behind this effort,” says Nick Penniman, Founder and CEO, Issue One.

“For our democracy to thrive, voters must have the power to choose their own representatives. Gerrymandering does the opposite; it erodes public trust and increases polarization. With Honor Action supports the Problem Solvers Caucus's Gerrymandering Reform Framework. We applaud the leaders of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi, and the For Country Caucus members who serve in both caucuses for embodying the same bipartisan ethos that unites these groups: country before party, results before rhetoric, and a shared conviction that every vote should count,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action.

"Through our research at Center Forward, we have seen time and again that there is far more that unites Americans than divides us. Most people want their elected officials to work together, solve problems and address the issues that affect their everyday lives. Gerrymandering makes that harder. It creates districts where elected officials have less incentive to work across the aisle, find common ground or build the kinds of durable bipartisan solutions that can actually move the country forward. Taking on this problem is not easy, and those willing to challenge the current system should be applauded. A fairer redistricting process would help restore voters’ voices and faith in government, and create more room for elected officials to work together on their behalf," says Cori Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Center Forward.

“Veterans served to defend a Republic where political power comes from the people. Gerrymandering turns that principle backward. It allows elected officials to shape communities around their own political survival instead of earning the trust of the people they represent. Both parties have taken part in this race to the bottom, and both have a responsibility to help end it. The Problem Solvers Caucus framework offers a serious, bipartisan path toward fair maps, real competition, and a Republic worthy of the service and sacrifice made to defend it,” says Alberto Ramos, Navy veteran and CEO of Veterans for All Voters.

“Gerrymandering harms American voters across the political spectrum by making elections less fair and less competitive. The framework put forward by the Problem Solvers Caucus represents an important step toward strengthening representative democracy in America,” says Kosuke Imai, Harvard University, Alarm Project

“Restoring faith in our democratic institutions is urgent work. Partisan gerrymandering violates a basic tenet of representative democracy: when maps are drawn to guarantee an outcome, voters are asked to participate in an election that has already been decided. Confidence erodes, turnout falls, and the damage cascades through everything else our system depends on. The Problem Solvers have built a framework that gives people evidence the system works the way it's advertised,” says Jonathan Cervas, Special Master of Elections, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology

“Redistricting shouldn’t be defined as a process that creates opportunities for manufactured partisan advantage. Drawing districts is an inherently political act, but there are ways to minimize efforts to undermine the representativeness that districts are supposed to create. The Problem Solvers Caucus framework is a serious effort to articulate clear, reasonable principles around which a federal approach to fair redistricting can be designed,” Charles Stewart III, Director, Special Master of Elections, MIT Election Data and Science Lab & Co-Director, Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project.

Braver Angels is the largest national volunteer-driven organization helping Americans build together across political differences. We call it courageous citizenship. We do not endorse candidates or legislation. But we state plainly when a structure in our system punishes courageous citizenship and rewards contempt. Congressional redistricting - when driven by mid-decade, partisan map-drawing - is one of those structures. Our own cross-partisan common ground workshops initiative across the country resulted in this unifying statement: “Voters should be able to decide who they want to govern them. Instead, today, politicians and special interest groups draw gerrymandered redistricting maps, through which they pick their preferred voters instead of the other way around. This practice must end.” This is not one party's issue. Both have redrawn maps mid-decade to lock in advantage, each pointing at the other. They blame each other, but the structure rewards both for doing it. That is why citizens must act. We commend the Problem Solvers Caucus, Republican and Democratic members together, for doing what courageous citizenship asks: finding common ground on a problem both parties have been content to exploit. We commend them not for any specific proposal, but for modeling the process this problem requires. Braver Angels has no solution to promote; indeed, our own members will differ and debate about the best ways to address the challenge. That belongs to Congress and the country. Our job is to name the barrier, convene Americans across the political spectrum, and show the pathway to building together The Braver Angels Way, the method modeled by our nation’s founders. If you want to be part of that work, join us,” says Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels.

Gerrymandering is not a Republican problem. It is not a Democratic problem. It is an American problem — and the evidence is hiding in plain sight. Look no further than our own states. In Illinois, Democrats have drawn congressional maps that courts have scrutinized for partisan manipulation. In Missouri, Republicans have done the same. Whichever party holds power draws the lines to protect incumbents and silence voters. Then they switch, and do it all over again. Out of 435 House seats, only 16 are considered true tossups in 2026. This represents potentially the fewest competitive races in a modern midterm. Even with a broader "battleground" definition, only about 42 districts (roughly 12%) are genuinely in play. This is not representative democracy. It is a rigged system. Voters in both our states deserve better. That's why we are proud to stand with the House Problem Solvers Caucus in calling for an end to this practice. The Caucus's bipartisan framework — which calls for an end to mid-decade redistricting, national standards to limit partisan gerrymandering, and stronger mechanisms for fair congressional maps — is exactly the kind of common-sense reform that Americans across the political spectrum support. As co-founders of Veterans for All Voters, we've spent years working with veterans from red states and blue states who understand something simple: the mission comes before the party. Our veterans didn't serve Illinois or Missouri. They served the United States. They deserve a democracy that works the same way. We call on members of Congress from both parties to support this framework and on state legislatures everywhere to stop using redistricting as a weapon against the very voters they are meant to serve,” says Eric H. Bronner, Co-Founder, Veterans for All Voters, Missouri Chapter and Todd Connor, Co-Founder, Veterans for All Voters, Illinois Chapter.

"Voters should be choosing their representatives, not parties choosing their voters. Millions of young voters turn out in districts drawn to make the outcome a foregone conclusion. The states cannot fix this on their own. Congress has to set the rules and ensure one non-partisan standard applies across the country. The Problem Solvers framework is a real step forward, and we're glad to work with the caucus and its members to help turn it into law," says Colin Mortimer, Director, Center for New Liberalism.

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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.

Problem Solvers Caucus Welcomes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Leadership for a Discussion on the Build America 250 Act

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the Problem Solvers Caucus welcomed House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) for a privileged briefing on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization (H.R. 8870) which advanced out of committee with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 62-2.

Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen informed Caucus Members on the legislation, its pathway to becoming law, and the importance of maintaining bipartisan cooperation. The Caucus and the Committee are steadfast in their work to strengthen and modernize America’s transportation infrastructure and advance their overlapping permitting reform priorities.

“The BUILD America 250 Act is a long-term bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, and other surface transportation infrastructure, cuts red tape in the project process, and ensures that states have the certainty and flexibility to carry out the projects most critical to them,” said Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves. “ The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved this bill with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, and I look forward to working with the Problem Solvers Caucus and all of our colleagues in the House and Senate to send a final multi-year transportation bill to the President before the end of this Congress.”

"The BUILD America 250 Act invests in the nation's infrastructure to deliver safer, more efficient transportation for Americans while creating good-paying jobs,” said Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen. “After passing out of committee in bipartisan fashion, I look forward to working with the Problem Solvers Caucus to build on this momentum and pass our surface transportation reauthorization in the full House."

Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs, Along With Reps. Carbajal and Bresnahan, Lead Bipartisan Push to Restore Surface Transportation Funding

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03), along with Problem Solvers Reps. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24), members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, sent a bipartisan letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging them to restore funding for federal surface transportation programs to their Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 enacted levels.

As currently proposed, funding levels would reduce highway funding by nearly $10 billion, airport infrastructure funding by approximately $5 billion, and public transit funding by roughly $4 billion. These reductions could delay or defer projects already planned by state and local transportation agencies, increase long-term costs, and create uncertainty for communities relying on these investments.

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Release Statement on the National Debt Surpassing $40 Trillion

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) released the following statement on the national debt surpassing $40 Trillion:

“The national debt reaching $40 trillion is an unmistakable warning that our country’s fiscal trajectory is unsustainable. Administrations and Congresses of both parties contributed to this problem, and neither party can solve it alone. Congress has a responsibility to act now, rather than continue passing the costs on to future generations.

The Problem Solvers Caucus has already put forward a path to begin changing this trajectory. Our Fiscal Stability Framework backs the Fiscal Commission Act and the Sustainable Budget Act, two proposals to bring Republicans and Democrats together to confront the long-term drivers of our debt and develop comprehensive recommendations to restore fiscal stability. The scale of this challenge demands a serious, bipartisan process capable of producing durable solutions. No more delays, short-term fixes, and fiscal brinksmanship.

There is no single vote that will erase $40 trillion in debt, but there are concrete steps Congress can take now to change the direction we are headed. That starts with both parties treating this challenge with the seriousness it demands and working toward solutions that put the country on sounder financial footing for the years ahead. We have put forward a bipartisan path that reflects what our constituents and the American people expect from their leaders: common sense, fiscal discipline, and a willingness to work together on solutions that can actually become law and bring down the debt in a meaningful, lasting way”.

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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.

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Legislation to Strengthen Sepsis Response and Improve Patient Outcomes

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the bipartisan Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems and Initiatives for Sepsis (SEPSIS) Act (H.R. 7116), legislation to strengthen the national response to sepsis and improve patient outcomes.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection. Approximately 1.7 million Americans develop sepsis each year, and 350,000 die from the condition. Sepsis is also one of the most expensive conditions treated in American hospitals, with costs exacerbated by frequent readmissions.

Many sepsis deaths can be prevented through early recognition and treatment. The SEPSIS Act would build on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) ongoing work to help hospitals improve their sepsis programs.

The SEPSIS Act would:

Direct the CDC to educate hospitals on addressing sepsis and improve federal data collection on pediatric cases.
Strengthen coordination across the Department of Health and Human Services while supporting the development of a sepsis outcome measure and requiring a report to Congress.
Require a congressional briefing on the CDC’s sepsis activities and establish a voluntary recognition program for hospitals with effective or improving sepsis programs.

The SEPSIS Act is led by Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07). Companion legislation in the Senate (S.1929) is sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (NY), Susan Collins (ME), and Andy Kim (NJ).

“No condition so treatable should be so fatal, yet even with excellent medical care I was lucky to survive my own battle with sepsis,” Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) said. “We already know what resources can make a dramatic difference for treating sepsis. Congress has the unique ability to equip more hospitals with the tools to save lives, and there’s no reason both parties can’t be part of the solution. I'm extremely grateful to the Problem Solvers Caucus for creating even more bipartisan momentum for my SEPSIS Act.”

“Sepsis can impact anyone — young or old, sick, or healthy — and preventing deaths depends on early recognition and timely intervention. I am pleased to see the SEPSIS Act, that I introduced with Congressman Norcross, endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus. It is critical that we put patients over politics, and this bipartisan legislation would strengthen sepsis care through expanded education, national information-sharing on best practices, and improved pediatric data collection,” said Congressman Tom Kean (NJ-07).

“Sepsis can turn a medical emergency into a life-or-death situation in a matter of hours, but most fatal sepsis cases are preventable. Our doctors and healthcare workers need the tools and information to recognize sepsis and act quickly,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “The SEPSIS Act is a commonsense bill to strengthen early detection, improve the standard of sepsis care across the country, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and save lives.”

“Sepsis remains among the most dangerous and unforgiving medical emergencies in our healthcare system. The SEPSIS Act advances a thoughtful, bipartisan framework to improve early recognition, strengthen hospital response, and deliver better outcomes for patients. When we know where intervention can save lives, Congress has a responsibility to translate that knowledge into action. I applaud Representatives Norcross and Kean for their leadership on this initiative,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

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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.

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Bill to Strengthen Access to Diagnostic Testing

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act (H.R. 5269), bipartisan legislation to modernize the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) and help ensure continued access to high-quality diagnostic testing for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) is the system Medicare uses to establish the cost of lab tests for Medicare beneficiaries. Clinical laboratory services are essential to patient care, informing approximately 70 percent of clinical decisions. Without congressional action, payment rates for hundreds of routine laboratory tests are scheduled to face reductions beginning in 2027, creating uncertainty for patients and raising concerns about access to critical diagnostic services, particularly in rural communities.

The RESULTS Act would:

Reform the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) by dramatically improving the data used to set rates on the CLFS.
Support and enhance patient access to innovative clinical laboratory services.
Reduce the administrative burden of data collection and reporting for laboratories and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Provide stability to the CLFS through improved rate setting.

The RESULTS Act is led by Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) and has 106 additional cosponsors, including 22 Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Scott Peters (CA-50).

"San Diego is one of the nation's top scientific research hubs and home to more than 2,100 life science companies and institutions. Our world-class laboratories turn cutting-edge research into precise diagnoses that help patients and their doctors make the best-possible medical decisions," said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50). "Our bill would fix Medicare’s outdated payment system, which puts labs at risk of unpredictable payment cuts and threatens access to lifesaving care for San Diegans and seniors across the country. I'm glad to have the Problem Solvers Caucus behind the RESULTS Act, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this over the finish line."

“Nearly every course of care begins with a laboratory result. It is the answer that can catch disease early, guide the right treatment, and give patients precious time. For seniors, access to that testing cannot depend on an outdated payment system built on incomplete data and repeated temporary fixes. The RESULTS Act delivers the lasting reform patients and providers deserve—protecting access, preventing destabilizing cuts, and creating a fair, sustainable framework for the laboratories our health system relies on. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus for standing with me behind this legislation and affirming that no senior should face delayed care because Washington failed to fix a problem we can solve,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

“The Problem Solvers Caucus is leading on this important effort to cut medical red tape and help ensure our seniors on Medicare have access to the diagnostic tests they need,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03).

“The Problem Solvers Caucus brings Republicans and Democrats together in support of practical solutions to complex policy challenges,” said Susan Van Meter, President of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). “Their endorsement of the RESULTS Act underscores the growing bipartisan recognition that Medicare’s clinical laboratory payment system should be strengthened through thoughtful, data-driven reforms that protect access to laboratory testing services patients rely on at every step of their health care journey.

"Roche Diagnostics applauds the Problem Solvers Caucus for endorsing the RESULTS Act (H.R. 5269), which will help protect seniors' access to the essential tests they rely on every day. As a developer of innovative diagnostic testing, we know that a strong, sustainable laboratory infrastructure is critical to patient care," said Ami Simunovich, Global Head of Quality, Regulatory & External Affairs, Roche Diagnostics.

“For the six in 10 Americans living with at least one chronic disease, access to laboratory testing is essential to monitoring their conditions and guiding treatment decisions,” said Liz Helms, Chief Executive Officer of the Chronic Care Policy Alliance. “By endorsing the RESULTS Act, the Problem Solvers Caucus is supporting a sustainable solution that would protect access to the clinical laboratory testing patients rely on.”

“Access to timely laboratory tests and diagnostics is essential to helping patients and their family caregivers understand and manage their chronic conditions. The RESULTS Act is an important bipartisan step toward strengthening the Medicare payment system for clinical laboratories, mitigating destabilizing payment cuts, and helping ensure patients continue to have access to these critical diagnostic services,” Spokesperson for the National Health Council.

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

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Bill to Strengthen Infrastructure for Local Police and Fire Departments

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the bipartisan Building Up Infrastructure for Local Departments (BUILD) Act (H.R. 2979), legislation to help small and rural law enforcement agencies and fire departments modernize outdated facilities and better meet the demands of public safety in the 21st century.

Across the country, thousands of local law enforcement agencies and fire departments operate out of facilities that no longer meet the demands of modern public safety. More than 40 percent of all firehouses were built in the 1980s or earlier, with an estimated replacement cost of $70 billion to $100 billion, while many local law enforcement agencies face similar infrastructure challenges. This bipartisan legislation would help ensure small and rural departments have access to the modern infrastructure needed to meet today’s public safety challenges.

The BUILD Act would:

Establish new BUILD and BUILD-FIRE grant programs at the Department of Justice and FEMA to help small law enforcement agencies and fire departments renovate, upgrade, or construct modern facilities.
Authorize up to $250 million annually for each program, subject to appropriations.
Provide grants of up to $4 million for departments serving communities with fewer than 50,000 residents.
Support projects that improve emergency services, strengthen recruitment and retention, expand training opportunities, increase community engagement, and enhance public safety.
Ensure equitable geographic distribution of grant funding and require studies to better assess the long-term capital infrastructure needs of local police and fire departments.

The Build Act is led by Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Julia Letlow (LA-05), and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07). The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Pappas and Kean.

“Upgrading our public safety infrastructure to modern standards is critically important for community safety. I know from my conversations with local law enforcement, fire fighters, and town representatives that this legislation is desperately needed,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). “I’m glad to have the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus endorse my legislation to provide police and fire departments with federal resources to make necessary facility upgrades, which will support our officers and improve public safety. I will continue to work alongside our local departments, officials, and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for the resources our communities need.”

“Our local law enforcement and firefighters risk their lives to keep our communities safe, and we must see to it that they have the proper resources to do their jobs effectively,” said Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07). “As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I am pleased to see the Caucus endorse our bipartisan BUILD Act, which will ensure our first responders in rural areas have access to modern infrastructure, training, and the support they need.”

“As a former mayor and county executive, I know firsthand that local governments, especially small and suburban communities, can struggle to afford the major upgrades needed to keep community police and fire departments operating safely and effectively,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “The BUILD Act is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that lends federal support to modernizing outdated public safety infrastructure so our firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel have the facilities they need to protect our communities, respond to emergencies, and recruit and retain the next generation of first responders. This investment in public safety is exactly the kind of legislation the Problem Solvers are proud to endorse.”

“Having worked alongside law enforcement and first responders throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand that the strength of a department depends on more than the dedication of its people. It also depends on whether they have the facilities to train, prepare, collaborate, and respond effectively,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "The BUILD Act helps ensure our smaller police and fire departments have infrastructure that matches the heroic mission they carry out every day. By endorsing this bill, the Problem Solvers Caucus is making clear that the men and women who answer the call deserve more than our gratitude—they deserve the tools and facilities to do the job.”

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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.

Problem Solvers Caucus Unveils Bipartisan Gerrymandering Reform Framework

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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.

NEWSDAY: In fight for U.S. House, Long Island Reps. take peace pledge

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — Three of Long Island’s four U.S. House members say they won't be starting partisan fights by endorsing each other's election challengers, abiding by the non-aggression rule of a bipartisan group they’ve joined in Washington.

Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi and GOP Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino each confirmed this week that they won't be endorsing against each other — following this week’s primary elections that settled which Republican and which Democrats will be running against them.

They also are not endorsing challengers to any of the dozens of congressional colleagues nationally who sit across the political aisle from them but are members of the self-described Problem Solvers Caucus. That, even as majority control of the U.S. House now narrowly held by Republicans could teeter on just a handful of net seat gains or losses by either party in this fall’s elections.

WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
▪    Three of Long Island’s four U.S. House members say they won't be starting partisan fights by endorsing each other's election challengers, abiding by the non-aggression rule of a bipartisan group they’ve joined in Washington.
▪    They also are not endorsing challengers to any of the dozens of congressional colleagues nationally who sit across the political aisle from them but are members of the self-described Problem Solvers Caucus.
▪    Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi and GOP Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino each confirmed this week that they'll follow the caucus rules, even as majority control of the U.S. House hangs on this fall’s elections.

"It's a bit of a head scratcher," said Donald Nieman, a history professor at Binghamton University, though he noted all three represent politically swingy areas and have built personal brands around bipartisanship.

"But bottom line," Nieman said, "they're politicians who have grown up in a world where parties are weak and don't mean much to voters or to candidates themselves. It's every person for him or herself." On the other hand, veteran New York Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said positive relationships could have benefits. "Less intense competition, one might argue, gets more done for Long Island when representatives from all sides of the aisle cooperate," Sheinkopf said.

Seeking collaboration
A spokeswoman for Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), pointed to the bylaws of the Problem Solvers group, which he co-chairs. "Congressman Suozzi is precluded from getting involved in campaigns against the Problem Solvers Caucus," Kim Devlin said. In a separate statement, Garbarino (R-Bayport) said, "As Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I stand by our mission to find consensus, not fuel division. In keeping with the caucus’s goal of fostering collaboration, its members are prohibited from endorsing against a fellow caucus member." And LaLota (R-Amityville) offered in a statement that, "While I hold strong common-sense conservative values, I am a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus because I believe partisan gridlock serves no one and that compromise is often necessary to move America forward."

LaLota said he’s still working to prevent Democrats from flipping the House majority. But he said, "the caucus’s bylaws — designed to foster bipartisan cooperation — prohibit members from campaigning against fellow members of the caucus."

Long Island's fourth U.S. representative, Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), is not a member of the Problem Solvers. Her office did not immediately provide an answer to whether she will endorse the Democrats who are running against Republican colleagues LaLota and Garbarino.

The campaigns of LaLota’s Democratic foe, Chris Gallant; Garbarino’s Democratic challenger, Patrick Halpin; and Suozzi’s GOP foe, Michael LiPetri each either did not respond or declined to provide comment. Multiple sources who are familiar with their activities say at least two of the Long Island challengers extended feelers to the incumbents from their own parties — only to be advised endorsements won’t occur because of the Problem Solvers no-endorsement rule.

The caucus, founded in 2017, is an offshoot of the nonpartisan group No Labels and was devised to be a critical voting bloc, its membership a balanced mix of Republicans and Democrats.

Regional cooperation
Steve Israel, a former Long Island congressman who chaired the House Democratic caucus’ campaign arm, said it makes sense for members of Congress, especially those from the same region, to maintain good relationships. "At the end of the day, you have to get past the politics and govern together." "I had a similar arrangement, but a bit less formal and more of an implicit understanding," Israel said. "The understanding was that we might have to endorse a candidate in our party, but it wouldn’t be bombastic, wouldn’t criticize the member, and everyone would get advanced notice. It did make the climate easier and more productive when we had to get in a room and discuss regional issues."

The relevant section of the group’s bylaws shown to Newsday states: "Members will not actively oppose fellow Caucus members." It says that means: "Not endorsing candidates running against fellow Caucus members, including not engaging in any way, shape or form directly or indirectly against any fellow Caucus member" either in a primary or general election. Caucus members who are found in breach of these standards can receive a formal warning on a first offense. They are at risk of being banished for a second offense to "inactive status" for the remainder of the two-year Congress. "It is said there are no friendships in Congress but, strictly speaking, that’s not true — especially when it comes to members of informal caucuses like Problem Solvers," Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University said. Lawmakers form such non-aggression pacts with fellow incumbents knowing their respective challengers, if elected, "might not be so collegial."