[ad_1]
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Democrats’ signature law on voting and campaign finance reform, which aims to expand access to the ballot box, tackle partisan gerrymandering and put in place new public finance for races in Congress.
The People’s Law of 2021, known as HR 1, was passed by a vote of 221 to 207. Three Republicans joined Democrats in approving sweeping voter rights reform that is now heading for the Senate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said the legislation was needed to tackle voter suppression efforts in states, to crack down on corruption and to decrease the influence of major donors in politics.
“It’s called the People’s Bill,” Pelosi said Wednesday at an HR 1 event ahead of its passage. “And in doing so, we are fighting the big, dark, and special interests in politics and amplifying the voice of the American people.”
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ‘HR 1 WILL CREATE NEW PUBLIC FUNDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS
A major pillar of the legislation is the establishment of a new public funding system for legislative and presidential elections to encourage small donations. The bill would establish a 6: 1 match for each base contribution to a candidate up to a maximum of $ 200.
For example, a donation of $ 200 to a candidate for the House would bring in a match of $ 1,200 in public funds for a total contribution of $ 1,400.
The public matching program would be funded by a new 4.75% surtax on criminal and civil penalties and regulations that companies pay to the US government. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated this week that the new revenue stream would generate around $ 3.2 billion over 10 years.
AMENDMENT OF THE TEAM TO RESTORE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE FELONS, INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS FAIL IN THE HOUSE
Republicans have criticized the public funding provision as a way to fill the campaign coffers of members of Congress.
“This bill is not for the people, it is for politicians,” said Representative Rodney Davis, R-Ill.
FILE: In this photo provided by Wisconsin Watch, election workers Jeff and Lori Lutzka, right, process mail-in ballots at the Milwaukee central counting center on August 11, 2020. Wisconsin election officials are taking several steps to facilitate postal voting in November, when most people are expected to vote by absentee. (Will Cioci / Wisconsin Watch via AP)
Voting reform legislation, numbered HR 1 to signify it is the top priority of House Democrats, would also adopt automatic voter registration, restore the right to vote for criminals after serving their sentences and expand access to early voting and postal voting.
It also bans voter list purges and partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, imposes new campaign finance rules, and requires presidential candidates to release 10 years of tax returns.
THE HOUSE CANCELS VOTES ON THURSDAY IN CASE OF SECURITY THREATS IN CAPITOL
HR 1 would also target large donors and black money in politics by requiring additional disclosure of campaign donors and political advertising disclaimers.
Republicans, however, said voters wanted more integrity and confidence in the electoral system and that this required more stringent reforms like voter identification.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“This bill makes elections less trustworthy, not more,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas. “Confidence is everything.”
The legislation is now heading towards the Senate where it has a difficult road to pass as the chamber is split 50 to 50 between Democrats and Republicans. The legislation would require 60 votes to move forward and would need the support of the GOP.
[ad_2]
Source link