Transformational Voting Rights, Anti-Corruption, Ethics and Clean Elections Reform Package Will Restore Trust, Fairness and Integrity to Government and Return Power Back to the American People
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today led the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a historic suite of reforms to protect and expand the right to vote, clean up corruption in Washington and restore trust, transparency and integrity in government.
“Swiftly passing H.R. 1 sends a strong signal to the American people about our unwavering and longstanding commitment to enact transformational anti-corruption and clean election reforms,” said Congressman Sarbanes, who assembled H.R. 1 and also led House passage of the bill in the 116th Congress. “Our once-in-a-generation reform effort will end decades of dysfunction in Washington, return power to the people and build a more just, equitable and prosperous country for all Americans.”
Sarbanes continued: “Over the last several weeks, Republican lawmakers in states across the country have ramped up efforts to suppress the vote – especially in communities of color. At a time when Americans from across the political spectrum are demanding real change and accountability from their elected officials, it’s more important than ever before to deliver on the promise of H.R. 1 and restore faith in our democracy. We have no time to waste.”
Key provisions of the For the People Act include:
- Expanding automatic voter registration and same day registration.
- Strengthening vote by mail, early voting and ballot access.
- Combating voter intimidation and voter suppression.
- Protecting elections from foreign interference.
- Fixing partisan gerrymandering.
- Promoting digital ad transparency.
- Forcing disclosure of dark money.
- Reining in lobbyist influence.
- Enforcing ethics and conflict of interest rules for all government officials.
- Empowering small donors with matching funds paid for by lawbreakers, not taxpayers.
For more information about H.R. 1 see here.