Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ11) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 1, landmark legislation to strengthen election and ethics laws:
“President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security said the 2020 election was the most secure in American history, but we now see states trying to roll back recent gains made to increase voter access to the ballot box. H.R. 1 will improve election security, continue to increase access to the ballot box, and help states improve voting systems. It also takes sweeping action to hold elected leaders and those running for office accountable to the people we serve, from strengthening ethics rules to improving campaign finance disclosures.
“I’m deeply concerned that my colleagues across the aisle continue to refuse to strengthen our democracy, even in the wake of January 6. As we work on the business of the American people, we need all members to put the citizens of our country first and ensure robust participation in our democracy.”
H.R. 1, also known as the For the People Act, seeks to expand voting rights through a number of steps, including requiring states to automatically register citizens to vote, expanding no-excuse mail voting and allowing at least 15 days of voting for federal elections.
Other aspects of the bill seek to limit partisan gerrymandering by having states appoint independent commissions to draw congressional districts rather than have that work done by state legislatures. To limit the influence of money in congressional races, H.R.1 would provide a 6-to-1 match from the federal government for small-dollar donations.
H.R. 1 was first introduced in 2019 and passed by a vote of 234–193. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) declined to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans. The new bill still could face a challenge in the U.S. Senate, which is now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
