The heart of the Congress has been hollowed out today. Both parties’ pragmatists who represent swing districts — and genuinely pay attention to people from the opposing party — are on the verge of extinction. The US House of Representatives resembles a European parliament in that there is almost no cross-partisan negotiation or even discussion. And the rigidity is increasing.
Democrats in Texas were eyeing two Latino-heavy districts as possible takeover targets, but Republicans drew up new maps that put them out of reach. “This committee could have come up with a bill that was much more plainly, clearly constitutional, and I’m sorry we did not do that,” Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine said after signing a new proposal.
Republicans bear the brunt of the responsibility, but only because they have more state legislatures and governorships than Democrats. When given the opportunity, Democrats may be equally devious. The legislature in Oregon, for example, turned two swing districts more solidly blue.
Democrats in Maryland are considering a redistricting that would remove the state’s last surviving Republican congressman from a state with a Republican governor and over 1 million Trump supporters.
Democratic mapmakers in Illinois and New York might delete districts held by Adam Kinzinger and John Katko, two of the ten Republicans who spoke out against President Trump and supported his impeachment.
“Right now, Democrats in Illinois are selecting their own voters behind closed doors, using their influence to ensure that their party remains in control,” Kinzinger said in a statement. “We see this on both sides of the aisle, and this dedication to party politics will only exacerbate the country’s separation.”
Tribalism is absolutely ruining politics, and it’s leaving many to feel politically homeless as a result.”