Huntsman to call special session on 4th House seat
The Salt Lake Tribune
Posted: 12:45 PM- Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Thursday he will call a special session of the state Legislature after the November elections to approve a new congressional map to add a fourth House seat for Utah. A key U.S. House Republican leader has said he won't allow a vote on a bill to give Utah a fourth seat and the District of Columbia its first full member in Congress until Utah has a final redistricting plan.
I have already laid out why I think this is unconstitutional. Why can't we just wait until the 2010 Census and do it legally?
I like what amendnotbend.com says about this:
"The United States Congress is currently considering a bill that would allow the District of Columbia to receive one Congressional District and Utah a 4th Congressional District. This is seen as a political trade as Washington, DC currently does not have a regular member of Congress and would likely vote Democrat. Utah missed receiving a 4th Congressional Seat after the last census in 2000 by about 800 citizens and would likely vote Republican.According to Article I Section 2 of the United States Constitution it is clear that Congressional Seats are reserved for States. The current proposal to grant a Congressional Seat to Washington, DC is not allowed by the Constitution. In fact, during the 1970's this very act was proposed though it was handled correctly: An Amendment to the Constitution was proposed. We are greatly concerned by the manner in which Congress is handling this. By acting to "amend" the Constitution by simply changing Federal Law a precedent is being set. A precedent that leaves our Constitution vulnerable to whimsical changes. We do not support that precedent.I should personally add that I am a resident of Utah, the very state that would be granted another Congressional seat in this effort. We would love another seat in Utah though we want it done properly. This petition does not take a position on the merits of Washington, DC receiving a Congressional District other than if it happens it should be done properly: by a Constitutional Amendment."
Lets not change the rules, We will get our seat, in 2012.
1 comment:
What do Republicans get out of this deal? They might get an extra Republican Congressman for a maximum of 4 years before 2012 when it reverts back to 435 members, possibly only 2 years or none at all if there are legal challenges. What do the Democrats get? They get a permanent Democrat from Washington D.C. that will be there forever.
Somehow that doesn't seem like a fair trade! Not to mention that it is blatantly unconstitutional without an amendment.
Rep. David N. Cox
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