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H.R.643 / 118th Congress

Equal Voices Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 31, 2023

Equal Voices Act

This bill sets out a formula to calculate the number of Members in the House of Representatives, which has been capped at 435 since 1929.

Under the formula, the number of Members is equivalent to the total population of the United States divided by the population of the state with the smallest population (rounded to the nearest whole odd number) and is calculated following each census.

If the formula increases or decreases the size of the House by 15% or more, a temporary congressional commission must convene to make recommendations on the optimal size of the House and the apportionment of Members among the states. The commission must submit its recommendations within six months of the census, and it terminates 30 days after that submission.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] · D–IL

Committees

  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
  • Judiciary Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

  2. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H559)

  6. Introduced in House

  7. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 9, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.643 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.643 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.643 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.643 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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