Last Rights

2026-01-16 · Source: Astral Codex Ten · Field: Government & Public Sector — Public Policy & Governance, Constitutional Reform · Depth: Intermediate, long

Summary

The article contends that the widely unpopular U.S. Congress, with approval ratings consistently below 20%, necessitates a reform solution that circumvents the self-serving interests of its current members. It advocates for the ratification of the Congressional Apportionment Amendment (CAA), the sole remaining unratified amendment from the original Bill of Rights, to expand the House of Representatives from 435 to 6,641 members by mandating one representative per 50,000 citizens. This proposed "Giant Congress" is argued to significantly mitigate gerrymandering, diminish the influence of large political donors, and potentially reduce national partisan polarization by enhancing local accountability. While such an expansion would demand new infrastructure and likely lead to a more parliamentary House, it offers a viable path to reform without requiring congressional buy-in. The amendment, already ratified by eleven states, also presents a unique legal challenge due to a 200-year-old typo that could force a Supreme Court showdown between textualism and originalism, though the intended outcome of a larger Congress is anticipated.

Key takeaway

This content analyzes the Congressional Apportionment Amendment, proposing to expand the U.S. House to ~6,641 members to combat gerrymandering, reduce donor influence, and foster third-party representation. It details the amendment's historical context, potential political impacts, and a critical textual typo that could trigger a Supreme Court debate. However, this discussion offers no direct insights, methodologies, or practical applications for AI/ML professionals, making it irrelevant for those seeking technical or strategic advancements in artificial intelligence or machine learning.

Topics

• Congressional Reform
• Congressional Apportionment Amendment
• House of Representatives Expansion
• Gerrymandering
• U.S. Constitutional Amendments

Best for: Policy Maker, Legal Professional, General Interest

Related on AIssential

• Without the Voting Rights Act, Black Voting Power Will Shrink by Algorithm — Weakened Voting Rights Act enables algorithms and data brokers to dilute Black voting power under "race-neutral" pretenses.
• As the US midterms approach, AI is going to emerge as a key issue concerning voters | Nathan E Sanders and Bruce Schneier — Trump's executive order on AI regulation has created a new political wedge issue for the US midterms.
• Fourth Amendment Equilibrium Adjustment in an Age of Technological Upheaval — Courts must adapt Fourth Amendment interpretations to rebalance privacy rights against advanced surveillance technologies.
• Opinion | The Stakes of the Trump-Xi Summit — Partisan gerrymandering efforts are intensifying nationwide, leading to complex legal battles and electoral uncertainty.
• Trump Abandons 'FDA for AI' Proposal — Trump abandoned a voluntary AI executive order, shifting US AI governance towards classified intelligence-community-led evaluations, bypassing public oversight.
• Open Thread 425 — Community updates cover forecasting contest results, constitutional amendment analysis, a new cryonics venture, and AI ethics.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Astral Codex Ten.