The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the vote on Democrats’ signatures and campaign finance reform legislation aimed at expanding access to the polls, fighting party gerrymandering and establishing new public funding for parliamentary disputes.
The People’s Act of 2021, known as HR 1, passed a vote from 221 to 207. Three Republicans joined Democrats in approving the broad reform of voters’ rights that now goes to the Senate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said legislation is needed to combat voter suppression efforts in states, crack down on corruption and lessen the influence of large donors in politics.
“This is called the People’s Bill,” Pelosi said on Wednesday at an HR 1 event before its approval. “And in doing so, we fight the big, dark money of special interest in politics and amplify the voice of the American people.”
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ‘HR 1 CREATES NEW PUBLIC FUNDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS
One of the main pillars of the legislation is the establishment of a new system of public funding for the legislative and presidential elections to encourage donations of small dollars. The legislation would establish a 6: 1 match for each basic contribution for a candidate up to $ 200.
For example, a $ 200 donation to a House candidate would yield $ 1,200 in public funds for a total contribution of $ 1,400.
The public gambling program would be financed by a new 4.75% surcharge on civil and criminal penalties and agreements that companies pay to the United States government. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated this week that the new revenue stream would generate about $ 3.2 billion in 10 years.
SQUAD ALTERMENT TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO FELONS, FAILURES OF INDIVIDUALS INCLUDED AT HOME
Republicans attacked the provision of public funding as a way to fill the campaign coffers of members of Congress.
“This project is not for the people, it is for politicians,” said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill.
ARCHIVE: In this photo provided by Wisconsin Watch, election officials Jeff and Lori Lutzka, on the right, process absentee ballots at the Milwaukee counting center on August 11, 2020. Wisconsin election officials are taking several steps to make voting more by easier mail in November, when most people are expected to vote absent. (Will Cioci / Wisconsin Watch via AP)
Voting reform legislation, numbered HR 1 to mean that it is the House Democrats ‘top priority, would also approve automatic electoral registration, restore criminals’ voting rights after they complete their sentences, and expand access to early voting and the absence of the vote.
It also prohibits purging voter lists and party gerrymandering from electoral districts, imposes new campaign financing rules, and requires presidential candidates to release 10 years of tax returns.
CASA CANCELA THURSDAY VOTES ON SECURITY THREATS IN CAPITOL
HR 1 would also target high-value, dark-money donors in politics, requiring additional disclosure from campaign donors and disclaimers on political advertising.
Republicans, however, said that voters want more integrity and confidence in the electoral system and that this requires stricter reforms, such as the voter registration card.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“This bill makes elections less reliable, not more,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas. “Trust is everything.”
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it has a difficult path to approval, as the chamber is divided into 50/50 between Democrats and Republicans. The legislation would require 60 votes to move forward and needs the support of the Republican Party.