[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1, THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 8, 2019

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1, The For the People Act.
  In November, Americans took to the polls to make their voices heard--
and this Democratic Congress has heard them, loud and clear.
  H.R. 1 will implement common-sense measures to give Congress and our 
elections more transparency.
  It's long been said that sunshine is the greatest disinfectant.
  We need to limit the influence of money in our politics and make 
critical updates to our campaign finance laws.
  We need to make sure that voters elect their representatives and not 
the other way around.
  We need to give every American a seat at the table, so we can drive 
progress for every family in every community.
  H.R. 1 does all these things and more.
  It expands access at the ballot box by addressing systemic and 
institutional barriers to voting.
  It prohibits voter roll purges and ends partisan gerrymandering.
  It expands early and absentee voting.
  It also protects our elections systems from attack.
  I am also proud that H.R. 1 lays the groundwork for H.R. 4, The 
Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore the VRA's 
preclearance provision.
  Madam Speaker, voting is the very cornerstone of our democracy. And 
THIS is what Democracy looks like.

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