sentences:  The commission is required to hold three public meetings, but is otherwise allowed to meet in private until it releases its new map.On December 23, 2011, the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Committee, in compliance with the outcome of the 2010 U.S. Census and the requirements of federal law, consolidated New Jersey's then 13 House seats into 12 congressional districts.Even though both houses of the New Jersey State Legislature were controlled by Democrats,and New Jersey's Congressional delegation in Washington, DC was made up of a majority of Democratic members, the half Democrat and half Republican Commission named a Republican, John Farmer, Jr., as its tie-breaker.