[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 66 (Friday, April 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           VOTER SUPPRESSION

  (Ms. GARCIA of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm 
about the ongoing efforts to pass voter suppression laws across our 
Nation and in my home State of Texas.
  Republicans have made it a priority to pass so-called ``election 
integrity bills.'' These misnamed bills are solely aimed at limiting 
access to the ballot box, particularly in urban counties like mine in 
Harris County.
  In the 2020 election, Harris County saw record turnout despite the 
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We implemented drive-through voting, 
authorized voting sites to stay open until 10 p.m., and several 
locations were open for 24 hours. Hundreds of thousands of voters used 
these options to exercise their constitutional right without 
endangering themselves or their loved ones.
  Now, Republicans in the State legislature are trying to ban and limit 
these measures under the false premise of ``election integrity.''
  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge the Senate to pass H.R. 1, which would 
expand access to the ballot box and prohibit restrictions on drive-
through voting for members of my community and all the voters across 
Texas.
  Voting is a right that should be encouraged, not restricted.

                          ____________________