[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    H.R. 3295, HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today, the House is considering 
H.R. 3295, the ``Help America Vote Act of 2001,'' an election reform 
proposal that seeks to address many of the problems with our national 
electoral system. It has been over a year since the 2000 Presidential 
Election, which brought many of these problems to light. Although it is 
not perfect, this legislation is long over-due, and I urge my 
colleagues to support its passage.
  I won't rehash the events of the 2000 Campaign, as we are all too 
familiar with hanging chads, the flawed butterfly ballot, and the 
countless ballots in Florida--and elsewhere--that were discarded and 
not tallied. That was a national tragedy. We've had a year to do 
something here in the House, and I am glad we are finally acting. I 
hope we can use this important legislation to address many of the 
shortcomings of our national voting system. H.R. 3295 is just a first 
step in our ongoing effort to restore our constituents' trust in the 
system of how we conduct our elected officials. Our constituents 
deserve to have that trust restored.
  This bill authorizes $400 million for one-time payments to states or 
counties to replace punch card voting systems in time for the November 
2002 general election. These are the infamous ballots used in Florida 
and elsewhere.
  H.R. 3295 also creates a bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, 
which is intended to be a national clearinghouse for information and to 
review the procedures used for Federal elections.
  It authorizes $2.25 billion to help states improve their voting 
systems. Specifically, this bill will help states establish and 
maintain accurate voter lists; encourage voters to get out and vote; 
improve voting equipment; improve the processes for verification and 
identification of voters; recruit and train poll workers; improve 
access for voters with disabilities; and finally, educate voters about 
their rights and responsibilities.
  Most importantly, H.R. 3295 will establish minimum federal standards 
for state election systems regarding voter registration systems, 
provisional voting, the maintenance of accuracy of voter registration 
records; overseas absentee voting procedures, permitting voters with 
disabilities to cast a secret ballot, and allow voters an opportunity 
to correct errors.
  Now, as I said earlier, this bill is not perfect. In fact many well-
respected organizations in the civil rights community oppose this 
legislation. I understand and share some of their frustrations. 
However, I believe that by passing this bill today, we can move the 
process forward in hopes that the bill that comes back from the Senate 
will have many improvements.
  I commend my colleagues Mr. Ney of Ohio and Mr. Hoyer of Maryland for 
their hard work in crafting this legislation. I encourage them, 
however, to work with Mr. Conyers of Michigan and Senator Dodd to 
ensure that if there is a conference on this bill, we can vote for an 
even better bill.
  Vote yes on H.R. 3295.

                          ____________________