    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 12, 2001]
    [Page 1509]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1509]]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Election Reform
    Legislation
    December 12, 2001

        I commend the House of Representatives for today's overwhelming
    passage of the bipartisan ``Help America Vote Act.'' This legislation
    goes a long way toward adopting reforms advocated by the Ford/Carter
    Commission on Federal Election Reform and is based on principles I
    endorsed and recommended to Congress in July. The Ney-Hoyer bill is a
    good start in achieving these goals--it respects the value of every
    eligible vote and the primary role of State, county, and local
    governments in elections. I look forward to working with Congress to
    enact responsible election reform before the upcoming 2002 elections.