WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Problem Solvers Caucus announced on Capitol Hill that it will establish a bipartisan working group to address gerrymandering and redistricting. About eight members of the caucus, a bipartisan group in Congress evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, volunteered to join the working group.

The caucus plans to set up independent redistricting commissions, allow independents to vote in primaries, remove closed primaries, and review state-level solutions that have created more competitive seats. The group also plans to tie federal funding streams to enactment of election reforms. The Constitution gives states sole jurisdiction over the time, place and manner of elections.

"We have decided we have to clear the decks, and the big focus has got to be this whole issue of gerrymandering and redistricting," said Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat representing a district that Donald Trump won. "Even though we have so many issues going on right now, this technical type insider issue, gerrymandering and redistricting, will kill our country," he said.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican representing a district that Kamala Harris won, addressed the disparity between voter registration and House representation in some areas. "It is incredibly corrosive to our democracy to have states and/or regions of this country that might be 60-40, 55-45 in terms of registration, but are 90-10 in House representation," Fitzpatrick said.

The announcement followed a request by President Trump that Texas redraw its congressional district maps. Texas redrew its maps after that request.

Fitzpatrick also addressed the broader political climate. "I do think it's gotten worse as of late because with the expanding use of social media and connectivity of these various groups, people tend to act out more than they have in the past," he said.