If the bill gets approved, Cannon said, the District of Columbia seat is likely to be a Democrat's seat, but if the maps create a safer Democratic seat for Matheson as well as one likely Republican spot, the so-called "political neutral" bill is not anymore.

Cannon said Republicans would not want to approve "a seat we would never get back."

The Nov. 7 election will have huge implications for the bill's status too, Cannon said, particularly to see if Matheson keeps his seat and if leadership changes in the House or Senate.

Zherka said if the Democrats took control of either chamber, Republicans might feel it is better to pass this sooner than later because the new majority could change it to something they would not support.

"Why not pass it when you can control the project?" Zherka said.

If the Republicans retain control of the House, the ratio of Democrats to Republican may also affect the bill's status because the Republicans would not want to pass a bill that could swing control of the chamber to the other party.

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E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com