California Lawmakers Applaud Decision In Redistricting Case

(AP) - Members of California's congressional delegation are applauding the Supreme Court's decision upholding the use of independent commissions to configure electoral districts.

Now, some lawmakers want to help spread the concept to other states.

California voters approved giving the once-a-decade responsibility for drawing political districts to an independent commission in 2008. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, led the effort after decades of heavy gerrymandering left most of the state's legislative and congressional races uncompetitive.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, said Monday that the public has long questioned the fairness of legislators overseeing redistricting.

Pelosi is calling for Congress to pass a longshot bill from fellow Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren that would require each state to establish an independent, multi-party redistricting commission to draw congressional district maps.