Fact check: Was there a bill to make gerrymandering illegal that didn't become law

1. Summary of the results

Yes, there was indeed a significant bill to make gerrymandering illegal that failed to become law. H.R. 1, also known as the 'For the People Act', would have required states to establish independent redistricting commissions to combat partisan gerrymandering ^[1]. This comprehensive legislation aimed to limit partisan gerrymandering practices but all Republican lawmakers voted against it, preventing it from becoming law ^{[1] [2]}.

The analyses reveal that while this federal anti-gerrymandering legislation failed, current redistricting battles are actively occurring across multiple states, particularly in Texas and California ^{[3] [4] [5]}. The Texas House approved a GOP congressional map that could give the Republican party five additional seats in the 2026 midterms ^[6], while California Democrats have been pushing redistricting measures as a countermeasure to GOP-led states like Texas ^{[4] [7]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the ongoing partisan redistricting arms race happening across multiple states beyond just Texas and California ^[5]. California Republicans have filed lawsuits to block Democratic-controlled redistricting efforts, pointing to what they call "legislative gamesmanship" ^[8]. This demonstrates that both parties are actively engaged in redistricting battles when it serves their electoral interests.

The analyses also reveal that California's redistricting efforts are specifically framed as a response to Texas Republicans' actions ^{[3] [4]}, suggesting a tit-for-tat dynamic rather than principled opposition to gerrymandering itself. Both parties benefit from gerrymandering when they control the process - Republicans in Texas seek to gain five additional congressional seats ^[6], while California Democrats are pursuing their own redistricting advantages ^[7].

Alternative solutions exist beyond federal legislation, such as the 'Define-Combine Procedure' proposed by experts as a technical fix to gerrymandering problems ^[2], but these receive less political attention than partisan redistricting battles.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains no apparent misinformation but lacks important specificity. By asking generically about "a bill," it obscures the fact that H.R. 1 was a comprehensive voting rights package that included anti-gerrymandering provisions alongside many other electoral reforms ^{[1] [2]}. This framing might lead people to believe there was a standalone anti-gerrymandering bill, when the reality is more complex.

The question also fails to acknowledge the current political reality where both parties engage in gerrymandering when advantageous. The analyses show that while Republicans blocked federal anti-gerrymandering legislation ^[1], Democrats are simultaneously pursuing their own redistricting advantages in states like California ^[7], suggesting that opposition to gerrymandering may be more tactical than principled across the political spectrum.