[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. ____________________