Not sure about that one. I would assume it would revert back to a fewer number of congressmen. Like it was before the 50 states all come into being. Didn't the overall number of congressmen grow, ultimately to 435, as the states came into being and populations grew? I'd have to do some research on that one.
Similarly, if say Puerto Rico were to become full fledged state, their 2-4 new congressmen would raise the 435 to 437/439? Their current rep is a non-voting position.
Good questions.
Originally Posted by Chica Chaser
the U.S. never had to decrease the number of seats before. there is no precedent for it.
the closest was the american civil war where several seats from seccessionist southern states went unrepresented.
they used to add seats as the population grew until 1911 where it froze at 435 and was reaffirmed in 1929.
Puerto Rico, that's not how it works under current law.
once admitted to the union. the state get 1 house seat until the next census. the next census will divine how many seats Puerto Rico will get, prolly 3 - 4 seats.
If California left, the house would be 380 seats. this situation is temporary. 55 seats would be re-distributed until the next census when 435 seats will be recalculated.
Congress could change this by legislation by changing the number of seats.
the seating in the house is long over due. it needs to be at 1,317 seats.
the current districts are not equal. you have a California district representing 700,000 citizens vs. a north Dakota district representing 25,000 - 50,000.