March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1023 is reckless and dangerous for our po- Turner Wagner Wenstrup Messrs. SCHNEIDER, SHERMAN, Upton Walorski Westerman lice. Valadao Waltz Williams (TX) GARAMENDI, O’HALLERAN, and Mr. Speaker, because of H.R. 1, which Van Drew Weber (TX) Wilson (SC) MORELLE changed their vote from is a federalization of our elections, I Van Duyne Webster (FL) Zeldin ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ also, today, will make a motion to ad- NAYS—222 Mrs. BOEBERT and Mr. LAMALFA journ so that Democrats can think a Adams Gottheimer O’Halleran changed their vote from ‘‘nay’’ to little bit harder. Aguilar Granger Ocasio-Cortez ‘‘yea.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Allred Green, Al (TX) Omar So the motion to adjourn was re- bers are reminded to address their re- Amodei Grijalva Pallone jected. Auchincloss Haaland Panetta The result of the vote was announced marks to the Chair. Axne Harder (CA) Pappas Bacon Hastings as above recorded. f Pascrell Banks Hayes Payne Stated against: Bass Higgins (NY) Perlmutter Mr. CRIST. Mr. Speaker, due to an unfore- MOTION TO ADJOURN Beatty Himes Peters seen recorded vote, I was unable to leave a Bera Horsford Phillips Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speak- Beyer Houlahan previously scheduled engagement. Had I been er, I move that the House do now ad- Pingree Bishop (GA) Hoyer Pocan present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall journ. Blumenauer Huffman Porter No. 56. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Blunt Rochester Issa Pressley Bonamici Jackson Lee Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Price (NC) question is on the motion to adjourn Bourdeaux Jacobs (CA) Wednesday, March 3, 2021, I was not able to Quigley offered by the gentlewoman from Geor- Bowman Jayapal Raskin make the recorded vote below. Had I been Brown Jeffries gia (Mrs. GREENE). Rice (NY) present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall Brownley Johnson (GA) Rice (SC) The question was taken; and the Bush Jones No. 56. Speaker announced that the noes ap- Bustos Joyce (OH) Ross Ms. BARRAGA´ N. Mr. Speaker, I regret to peared to have it. Butterfield Kahele Roybal-Allard Ruiz inform you that I was unable to be present for Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speak- Carbajal Kaptur the vote for the motion to adjourn today. Had Ca´ rdenas Keating Rush er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. Carson Khanna Rutherford I been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Cartwright Kildee Ryan rollcall No. 56. ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Case Kilmer Sa´ nchez Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I Casten Kim (NJ) Sarbanes 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Castor (FL) Kind Scanlon rise to clarify my position on the Motion to Ad- The vote was taken by electronic de- Castro (TX) Kinzinger Schakowsky journ considered on the floor this morning. vice, and there were—yeas 182, nays Cheney Kirkpatrick Schiff I support full consideration of the For the 222, not voting 27, as follows: Chu Krishnamoorthi Schneider People Act and the George Floyd Justice in Cicilline Kuster Schrader [Roll No. 56] Clark (MA) Lamb Schrier Policing Act. I was unable to vote this morn- YEAS—182 Clarke (NY) Langevin Scott (VA) ing. Had I been present, I would have voted: Cleaver Larson (CT) Scott, David nay, on rollcall No. 56. Aderholt Gaetz Malliotakis Clyburn Lawrence Sewell MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Allen Garbarino Mann Cohen Lawson (FL) Sherman RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS Armstrong Garcia (CA) Massie Connolly Lee (CA) Sherrill Arrington Gibbs Mast Cooper Lee (NV) Simpson Buchanan Kirkpatrick Neguse Babin Gimenez McCarthy Correa Leger Fernandez Sires (LaHood) (Stanton) (Perlmutter) Baird Gohmert McClain Courtney Levin (CA) Slotkin Ca´ rdenas Langevin Palazzo Balderson Gonzales, Tony McClintock Craig Levin (MI) Smith (WA) (Gomez) (Lynch) (Fleischmann) Barr Gonzalez (OH) McHenry Crow Lieu Soto DeSaulnier Lawson (FL) Payne Bentz Good (VA) Meijer Cuellar Lofgren Spanberger (Matsui) (Evans) (Wasserman Bergman Gooden (TX) Meuser Davids (KS) Lowenthal Schultz) Bice (OK) Gosar Miller (WV) Speier Deutch (Rice Lieu (Beyer) Davis, Danny K. Luria Stanton (NY)) Lowenthal Pingree (Kuster) Biggs Graves (LA) Moolenaar Dean Malinowski Rodgers (WA) Stevens Frankel, Lois (Beyer) Bilirakis Graves (MO) Moore (AL) DeGette Maloney, (Joyce (PA)) Strickland (Clark (MA)) Meng (Clark Bishop (NC) Greene (GA) Mullin DeLauro Carolyn B. Roybal-Allard Suozzi (MA)) Boebert Griffith Nehls DelBene Maloney, Sean Gaetz (McHenry) (Escobar) Swalwell ´ Bost Grothman Newhouse Delgado Manning Grijalva (Garcıa Moore (WI) Ruiz (Aguilar) Takano Brooks Guest Norman Demings Matsui (IL)) (Beyer) Rush Thompson (CA) Buchanan Guthrie Nunes DeSaulnier McBath Hastings Moulton (Underwood) Thompson (MS) Budd Hagedorn Obernolte Deutch McCollum (Wasserman (McGovern) Speier (Scanlon) Tlaib Burchett Harris Owens Dingell McEachin Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) Vargas (Correa) Tonko Burgess Harshbarger Palazzo Doggett McGovern Huffman Napolitano Watson Coleman Calvert Hartzler Palmer Doyle, Michael McKinley Torres (CA) (McNerney) (Correa) (Pallone) Cammack Hern Pence F. McNerney Torres (NY) Wilson (FL) Carl Herrell Perry Escobar Meeks Trahan (Hayes) Carter (GA) Herrera Beutler Pfluger Underwood Eshoo Meng f Carter (TX) Hice (GA) Posey Espaillat Miller-Meeks Vargas Chabot Higgins (LA) Reed Evans Moore (UT) Veasey FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021 Cline Hill Reschenthaler Fletcher Moore (WI) Vela Cloud Hinson Rodgers (WA) Foster Morelle Vela´ zquez The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Clyde Hollingsworth Rogers (AL) Frankel, Lois Moulton Walberg ant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further Cole Hudson Rogers (KY) Gallagher Mrvan Wasserman consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) to ex- Comer Huizenga Rose Gallego Murphy (FL) Schultz Crawford Jackson Rosendale Garamendi Murphy (NC) Watson Coleman pand Americans’ access to the ballot Crenshaw Jacobs (NY) Rouzer Garcı´a (IL) Nadler Welch box, reduce the influence of big money Curtis Johnson (LA) Roy Garcia (TX) Napolitano Wexton in politics, strengthen ethics rules for Davidson Johnson (OH) Salazar Golden Neal Wild Davis, Rodney Johnson (SD) Scalise Gomez Neguse Williams (GA) public servants, and implement other DesJarlais Jordan Schweikert Gonzalez, Newman Wilson (FL) anti-corruption measures for the pur- Diaz-Balart Joyce (PA) Scott, Austin Vicente Norcross Womack pose of fortifying our democracy, and Donalds Katko Sessions Duncan Keller Smith (MO) NOT VOTING—27 for other purposes, will now resume. Dunn Kelly (MS) Smith (NE) Barraga´ n Fudge Ruppersberger The Clerk read the title of the bill. Emmer Kelly (PA) Smucker Boyle, Brendan Green (TN) Smith (NJ) AMENDMENT NO. 28 OFFERED BY MRS. LESKO Estes Kim (CA) Spartz F. Johnson (TX) Titus Fallon Kustoff Stauber The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now Brady Kelly (IL) Trone Feenstra LaHood Steel in order to consider amendment No. 28 Buck Larsen (WA) Waters Ferguson LaMalfa Stefanik Bucshon Lynch Wittman printed in part B of House Report 117– Fischbach Lamborn Steil Cawthorn McCaul Fitzgerald Latta Steube Yarmuth 9. Costa Mfume Young Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I have an Fitzpatrick LaTurner Stewart Crist Miller (IL) Fleischmann Lesko Stivers DeFazio Mooney amendment at the desk. Fortenberry Long Taylor The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Foxx Loudermilk Tenney b 1032 Clerk will designate the amendment. Franklin, C. Lucas Thompson (PA) ´ Scott Luetkemeyer Tiffany Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. GARCIA of The text of the amendment is as fol- Fulcher Mace Timmons Illinois, Mr. WOMACK, Mrs. AXNE, lows:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:09 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.009 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1024 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 Strike section 4208. free speech, triggers universal mail-in of this bill to provide increased trans- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ballots, creates an election czar, strips parency in political advertising. Fun- ant to House Resolution 179, the gen- voter ID requirements, and so much damentally, Americans deserve to tlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. LESKO) more. know who is paying for online political and a Member opposed each will con- This bill jeopardizes the future of ads to ensure that they are informed trol 5 minutes. Americans’ freedom of speech with new voters. The Chair recognizes the gentle- requirements for public disclosure of Digital advertising can also have a woman from Arizona. support of political campaigns and can- far greater reach than broadcast adver- Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield didates. tising. Online political ads are rel- myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we cannot claim to be atively inexpensive to produce and can Mr. Speaker, I am here today to offer protecting the rights and freedoms en- be disseminated instantly to vast audi- an amendment to remove section 4208 shrined in our Constitution when this, ences across great distances without from H.R. 1. the For the People Act—more aptly regard to geographic boundaries. It is Section 4208 is a dangerous provision named the for the politicians act—is time for our disclosure and disclaimer of this bill that will put people’s pri- under consideration. laws and regulations to be updated to vate information on display and put Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 reflect how campaigns are run in the their personal security at risk. minute to the gentlewoman from Texas 21st century and how to keep pace with This section aims to forbid anony- (Ms. VAN DUYNE). changing technology. mous speech. Throughout American Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ap- The online platform records require- history, anonymous speech about polit- preciate the gentlewoman’s amend- ments in this section are key to the ical matters has played a vital role. ment, and I will be supporting it. Honest Ads Act, which is a part of H.R. From the Federalist Papers, to those Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- 1, designed to improve transparency in who supported the civil rights move- tion to H.R. 1, the underlying bill, the political advertising. By requiring on- ment of the 1950s and 1960s, many in ‘‘destroy election integrity and cen- line platforms to retain copies of polit- history had very legitimate fears of tralize all power in Washington, D.C., ical ads, everyday Americans at home having their identities uncovered and act’’ that Democrats are, once again, will be able to see who is paying for relied on anonymous speech to show pushing because they never have and what. These requirements are narrowly their support for certain policies and never will believe in the rights of our drawn and only apply to online plat- initiatives. States and the limited power of Fed- forms with over 50 million monthly Section 4208 removes the protection eral Government. unique visitors and to advertisers who of anonymous speech forever. By re- Some of my colleagues who took run over $500 a year in political adver- quiring public reporting of the private every opportunity to emphasize that tisements. information of individuals, partner- democracy was on the ballot in this Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to ships, associations, and any group of past election have returned to Congress vote ‘‘no’’ on the measure and protect people who spend $500 or more on polit- eager to change election laws in their this important reform. ical advertising—which is a very broad favor. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the definition in this bill—we put individ- H.R. 1 is wholly about control—con- gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. uals at risk. trol of free speech and control of how CLARK). Furthermore, we drastically limit elections are conducted. And when Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. free speech and destroy the First they exercise this control, their pur- Speaker, the insurrection on January 6 Amendment. Notably, the courts have pose is to crush opposing views, be- had a specific purpose: to overturn our already begun to warn against the con- cause opposing views will not be toler- election and to violently disenfran- stitutionality of similar provisions in ated when there are Democrat majori- chise millions of voters. State law. We cannot allow this to ties at stake. The immediate threat to the Capitol stand. Not only will it cause a security America’s strength lies in its free has been quelled, but our democracy’s problem for these individuals but, as speech and decentralized elections, and future is still unclear. Across the coun- we have seen, people could lose their we must continue to make our election try there are ongoing efforts to sup- jobs, be shamed, or even worse. system more resilient to natural chal- press and limit votes. Dark money I urge my colleagues to support this lenges and foreign actors. H.R. 1 fails fuels campaigns without transparency amendment. to do this on all fronts. and accountability, and partisan gerry- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Mr. Speaker, I was elected by the mandering tilts the playing field. gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. people of the 24th District of Texas to A vote for H.R. 1 is a vote for equal- ity, for transparency, and for returning CAMMACK). stand up for freedom, the rule of law, Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I and limited government. I urge my col- power to the people. Mr. Speaker, 56 years ago on March 7, thank the gentlewoman from Arizona leagues to vote against this vile new John Lewis almost lost his life on the for yielding, and I am proud to support form of tyranny in H.R. 1. Edmund Pettus Bridge for the right to her amendment. Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield vote. He said: ‘‘Your vote is precious, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- back the balance of my time. tion to H.R. 1, the so-called For the Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I claim almost sacred. It is the most powerful, People Act a/k/a the for the politicians the time in opposition to the amend- nonviolent tool we have to create a act. Supporters of this bill claim that ment. more perfect union.’’ Let’s strive for that more perfect it is the fix needed for the problems The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- union. Let’s confirm our democracy within our Nation’s electoral system, tlewoman from California is recognized and vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 1. but in reality this bill is a power grab for 5 minutes. that will blur the lines between official Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I dis- b 1045 and campaign resources and leave tax- agree with this amendment. It would Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I would payers footing the bill. strike section 4208 of H.R. 1 which re- just note that the late Justice Scalia, It is shameful that this body is even quires online platforms to retain who was not exactly one of our liberal considering this legislation that forces records of certain online political ad- beacons on the Court, said this: ‘‘Re- hardworking Americans amid an un- vertisements. According to Forbes quiring people to stand up in public for precedented crisis to give politicians magazine, political advertisers spent their political acts fosters civic cour- money. H.R. 1 would funnel millions of $1.6 billion online in the 2020 election— age, without which democracy is taxpayer dollars into the campaign ac- almost 10 times what they spent in doomed.’’ counts of politicians through voucher 2012. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the and funding match programs. This bill At a time when Americans are in- gentleman from Maryland (Mr. will allow 16-year-olds to vote, give $25 creasingly bombarded with political RASKIN). vouchers to individuals to donate to ads online, striking this provision is Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, the the candidate of their choice, redefines not useful and would harm the efforts amendment proposes to knock out the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.004 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1025 heart of the Honest Ads Act, so the individual to register to vote or vote in an and SCHAKOWSKY, for their leadership public won’t know who is purchasing election for Federal office held in the State on this issue and for cosponsoring my ads online. That is the exact opposite on the grounds of the individual’s age if the amendment. of what we need to be doing. We need individual will be at least 16 years of age on Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the the date of the election. far greater transparency about who is (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. SCHA- polluting the airwaves and who is pol- apply with respect to elections held in 2022 KOWSKY). luting the internet with propaganda or any succeeding year. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, and fake news. We should know who is The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- first, I want to thank my friend, paying for all of that. ant to House Resolution 179, the gen- AYANNA PRESSLEY, the wonderful con- This used to be a very solid bipar- tlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. gresswoman from Massachusetts. I tisan commitment between Democrats PRESSLEY) and a Member opposed each have had the pleasure of knowing and Republicans. Everybody agreed will control 5 minutes. AYANNA PRESSLEY well before she was there should at least be disclosure of The Chair recognizes the gentle- even 16, and she was ready to vote as campaign spending. woman from Massachusetts. soon as that. Now, they not only want to put out Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield I want to say that all over the coun- propaganda online, but they don’t even myself such time as I may consume. try, and especially in my district, I feel want anybody to know who is paying Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support we see young people, young activists, for it. That is the opposite direction of my amendment to H.R. 1, the For who are working tirelessly to make that we should be moving in America. the People Act. their voices heard, from battling cli- We should be defending everybody’s H.R. 1 is bold, transformative legisla- mate change, battling gun violence, to right to vote, everybody’s right to par- tion, which fights voter suppression, advocating for racial justice and eco- ticipate against all of the schemes to promotes access to the ballot, cracks nomic equality. undermine voting rights, and we should down on money in politics, and pro- This is their century, and our na- make sure that everybody knows who vides transparency to the American tional leadership should be accountable is putting money into the political sys- people. to them, to these young people in their tem. Passing this bill has never been more generation who will be most impacted I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on that amend- urgent. We must act to protect and by the existential threats that are ment. preserve our democracy. looming before us today. Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield My amendment gets to the heart of This is a serious proposal. Sixteen- to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. H.R. 1 and recognizes the contributions year-olds are doing the work of adults, WASSERMAN SCHULTZ) for the purpose that young people continue to make to and they should be treated with the re- of a colloquy. our democracy. spect that they deserve and the partici- By lowering the Federal voting age Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. pation that they should be able to from 18 to 16 years of age, my amend- Speaker, in Florida, we have strong re- have. ment would enfranchise young Ameri- districting standards that were passed So I heartily support this amend- cans to help shape and form the poli- by a large majority of Florida voters ment and urge my colleagues to con- cies that will set the course for our fu- and placed in our State constitution. sider it carefully and vote for it. ture. I also recognize that strong stand- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. From police violence, to immigration ards and criteria are provided for in Speaker, I rise in opposition to this reform, to climate change, to the fu- H.R. 1. amendment. Would the chairperson agree to work- ture of work and the minimum wage, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ing together with the State-adopted re- our young people are organizing, mobi- tleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 districting criteria to ensure H.R. 1 lizing, and calling us to action. They minutes. are at the forefront of social move- does not dilute the Florida require- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. ments and have more than earned in- ments? Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I am clusion in our democracy. tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. happy to work with the gentlewoman Mr. Speaker, 16- and 17-year-old con- MEUSER), my good friend. as this bill advances towards enact- stituents of mine are supporting their Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, our Na- ment. families. They are working, not for en- tion faces serious challenges, including Mr. Speaker, I have no additional richment or to build a resume, but be- an ongoing pandemic, vaccine distribu- speakers, and I would urge a ‘‘no’’ vote cause they have no choice. They are at- tion hurdles, continued lockdowns on the Lesko amendment. tending school full-time and taking from out-of-touch Governors, pro- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance care of loved ones in the midst of the longed closures of our schools, and one- of my time. COVID crisis. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Young people are contributing both in-four small businesses face the risk of ant to House Resolution 179, the pre- to the labor force and their local permanent closure. vious question is ordered on the economies by paying taxes, and yet At a time when the American people amendment offered by the gentle- they are deprived of the opportunity to are concerned with election integrity, woman from Arizona (Mrs. LESKO). exercise their right to vote. a top priority of our Democrat leader- The question is on the amendment. Some have questioned the maturity ship is to federalize election laws, re- The amendment was rejected. of our youth. I don’t. moving the authority of State legisla- A motion to reconsider was laid on Sixteen- and 17-year-olds today pos- tures expressed in Article I, Section 4 the table. sess wisdom and maturity defined by of the Constitution. AMENDMENT NO. 37 OFFERED BY MS. PRESSLEY today’s challenges, hardships, and op- H.R. 1, the bill before us today, would The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now portunities. allow for taxpayer-funded campaigns in order to consider amendment No. 37 They deserve and demand a govern- through a government match on polit- printed in part B of House Report 117– ment that is accountable to them, a ical contributions at a 6-to-1 ratio. So 9. government that values their voices, a $200 contribution would be matched Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have and understands the depth and breadth by the taxpayer to the tune of $1,200. an amendment at the desk. of their lived experience. H.R. 1 would also hinder the rights of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The They are not a monolith. But they States to determine their registration Clerk will designate the amendment. are nation-builders, living through a voting practices, including mandating The text of the amendment is as fol- global pandemic, confronting racial in- automatic voter registration. lows: justice, and rebuilding our democracy. The suggestion being made by my Page 88, after line 8, insert the following: Now is the time for us to meet the Democrat friends and colleagues that SEC. 1055. LOWERING MANDATORY MINIMUM moment and enfranchise 16- and 17- opposition to this legislation is some- VOTING AGE IN FEDERAL ELEC- TIONS. year-olds. how a form of voter suppression is ri- (a) LOWERING VOTING AGE TO 16 YEARS OF I would like to thank my colleagues diculous. I and my colleagues would AGE.—A State may not refuse to permit an and dear friends, Representatives MENG never consider engaging in a course of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.014 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1026 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 action that suppresses a citizen’s le- In other words, California Democrats The bill would limit the free speech gitimate right to vote. think it is fine when their paid of my voters, use my voters’ tax dol- This is a partisan power grab that operatives collect ballots from strang- lars to fund candidates, and violate the threatens election integrity. ‘‘One cit- ers and throw them in a bag. But they Constitution by superseding the Com- izen, one vote’’ is my solemn resolve. I object when churches try to collect monwealth’s ability to determine their oppose this amendment and the under- them for members of their congrega- own laws on voter eligibility. lying bill. tion and put them in a box. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield Don’t be fooled. Democrats don’t join me in opposing this misguided and 1 minute to the gentlewoman from want to facilitate ballot collection for radical legislation. California (Ms. LEE). all Americans. They just want to make Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, we Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, it easier for their operatives to harvest must do right by the young organizers first of all, let me rise to support the ballots and will cry foul whenever Re- and activists who have fought for our Pressley-Meng-Schakowsky amend- publicans try to play by the same democracy. They have a stake in our ment. I thank Congresswoman rules. democracy, and they deserve to have a PRESSLEY for bringing this forward and Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield stake at the ballot box. to say that she is about the future and 1 minute to the gentleman from New Civil rights heroes like the late John really about making sure that civic York (Mr. JONES). Lewis taught us through example that participation is really enhanced and Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I stand in no one is too young to fight for access moved forward by allowing for this this Chamber today thanks to the to the ballot. In fact, he supported this amendment to come into this bill, H.R. young people of Westchester and Rock- very amendment last Congress. 1, because this is what it is about. It is land Counties. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request about our democracy, and she has been When I first ran for Congress, I was my colleagues to support this amend- consistent in terms of inclusion and joined by a small group of young, com- ment, and I yield back the balance of making sure our democracy works. mitted volunteers. Many of them were my time. Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Elections are about the future, and not eligible to vote. Many of them were Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- no one has more at stake in that future 16 and 17 years old. And my goodness, tleman from Kentucky (Mr. BARR), a than our youth. By age 16, we trust our did they know more about policy and mediocre friend, not a great friend. young people with a host of important national politics than people who are four and five times their senior. Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, after a divi- decisions and responsibilities. It is the In this country, when you are 16 and sive election season, allegations of moment when lifelong habits are built 17 years old, we charge you as an adult election fraud, objections to the elec- and when ideas about the world become in the courtroom. You are able to drive toral college, and impeachment, a to be fixed. Evidence has shown that to the job we expect you to work in friend of mine on the other side of the when people start voting younger, they order to help support your family. So I aisle recently asked what it would take are more likely to exercise their right think that the least we can do is give to unify our country. My answer is to vote as they grow older. 16- and 17-year-olds a say in who gov- that it is certainly not this legislation Too many of the arguments against erns them. which, from my standpoint, is the most lowering the voting age to 16 crumble divisive, unconstitutional, and destruc- b 1100 when you really examine them clearly. tive piece of legislation in my time in Often the objection is simply that 16- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Congress. year-olds are too young to exercise Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- They call it the For the People Act, good judgment. This is really a patron- tleman from Virginia (Mr. CLINE), an- but it should be called the for the poli- izing thought. In fact, it is downright other great friend. ticians act because it would force tax- scary to think that we would have our Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, the Con- payers to fund political campaigns, in- government policies decide what con- stitution vests primary responsibility cluding the campaigns of politicians stitutes as wisdom for our young peo- in State legislatures to set the times, with whom those taxpayers disagree. ple. places, and manner of congressional Maybe a better name would be the It is past time for us to elevate vot- elections, allowing States and local- election power grab act because it ing as one of the central responsibil- ities to determine how best to conduct would normalize the chaos, uncer- ities of our democracy. I urge an ‘‘aye’’ elections that suit the needs of voters tainty, and irregularities surrounding vote. in their communities. mail-in voting in the 2020 election by Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. But the bill before us today, and this centralizing the administration of elec- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- amendment also, reverses the long- tions in Washington, D.C., comman- tleman from California (Mr. CALVERT), standing history of State control over deering States to permanently expand my good friend. the electoral process, makes unconsti- mail-in voting without safeguards, le- Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tutional changes to our election laws galize ballot harvesting, disregard opposition to the amendment en bloc through a top-down Federal power voter ID laws, permit same-day voter No. 4 and the underlying bill. grab, and places unprecedented limita- registration without citizenship verifi- I have a long list of concerns with tions on political speech. cation, among other egregious meas- this bill, and at the top of this list is Rather than strengthening the elec- ures. nationwide ballot harvesting. tion process by working with Repub- Mr. Speaker, election laws should Democrats in California have already licans to find bipartisan solutions, H.R. make it easy to vote and hard to cheat. legalized ballot harvesting in our 1 was written without any input from This bill would not only make it easy State. Despite our concerns with the Republican Members. Some of the most to cheat, but it would also effectively practice, Republicans were determined egregious provisions include man- make it legal to cheat. to play by the rules and utilized legal dating that States allow ballot har- At a time when half of Americans ballot collection methods in the last vesting, mandating same-day registra- have lost confidence in the integrity of election. tion in all 50 States, abolishing the sig- our elections, this bill will only drive One amendment in this package, of- nature requirements for mail-in bal- distrust and division higher. fered by my California colleague, puts lots, mandating absentee ballots be ac- Mr. Speaker, for the sake of ending this hypocrisy on full display. Under cepted up to 10 days after election day, division in our country, I urge my col- current law, with my colleague’s mandating that States send ballots in leagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on this power amendment, a foreign operative— the mail proactively, and, finally, forc- grab of our elections. maybe a Russian operative, maybe a ing taxpayers to pay politicians to Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chinese spy—could still handle ballots campaign for office. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- for untold numbers of people. My col- This bill is nothing more than an at- tleman from Texas (Mr. FALLON), an- league’s amendment is a blatant at- tempt by Democrats to cement their other mediocre friend. tempt to criticize ballot harvesting fragile and fleeting majorities at tax- Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I have only when the other guys do it. payer expense. only been here 2 months, and in that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.016 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1027 time, I have seen some bad legislation. which are transmitted or caused to be trans- gins on the date of the enactment of this To date, this is one of the worst that I mitted by an agent of a foreign principal by Act. have seen. posting on an online platform, the agent (d) DEFINITION.—Section 1 of such Act (22 The age of consent has always coin- shall ensure that the conspicuous statement U.S.C. 611) is amended by inserting after sub- required to be placed in such materials under section (i) the following new subsection: cided with the franchise. For nearly 200 this subsection is placed directly with the ‘‘(j) The term ‘online platform’ means any years, it was 21. Then, in the 1970s, material posted on the platform and is not public-facing website, web application, or they changed it to 18. Our society has accessible only through a hyperlink or other digital application (including a social net- agreed since then, for 50 years, that 18 reference to another source. work, ad network, or search engine).’’. is when a child becomes an adult. I find ‘‘(3) If the Attorney General determines SEC. 7106. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF IN- it interesting that our friends across that the application of paragraph (2) to ma- DIVIDUALS WHO ENGAGE WITH THE terials posted on an online platform is not UNITED STATES IN POLITICAL AC- the aisle don’t want to have 16- and 17- feasible because the length of the con- TIVITIES FOR A FOREIGN PRINCIPAL year-olds tried as adults when they spicuous statement required to be placed in IN ANY PLACE AS AGENTS OF FOR- commit violent adult crimes, yet they materials under this subsection makes the EIGN PRINCIPALS. want those 16- and 17-year-olds to have inclusion of the entire statement incompat- Section 1(c)(1)(i) of the Foreign Agents the franchise. Some even, believe it or ible with the posting of the materials on Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 not, want 16- and 17-year-olds who are that platform, an agent may meet the re- U.S.C. 611(c)(1)(i)) is amended by inserting after ‘‘United States’’ the following: convicted of murder to be able to vote quirements of paragraph (2) by ensuring that an abbreviated version of the statement, ‘‘(whether within or outside of the United while they are in prison after they stating that the materials are distributed by States)’’. have been convicted. a foreign agent on behalf of a clearly identi- SEC. 7107. ANALYSIS AND REPORT ON CHAL- Mr. Speaker, this is a horrible fied foreign principal, is placed directly with LENGES TO ENFORCEMENT OF FOR- amendment, and I respectfully request the material posted on the platform. EIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT that all of our Members join us in vot- ‘‘(4) An online platform on which informa- OF 1938. ing ‘‘no.’’ tional materials described in paragraph (2) (a) ANALYSIS.—The Attorney General shall Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. are posted shall ensure that the conspicuous conduct an analysis of the legal, policy, and procedural challenges to the effective en- Speaker, I yield back the balance of statement described in such paragraph (or, if applicable, the abbreviated statement de- forcement of the Foreign Agents Registra- my time. scribed in paragraph (3)) is maintained with tion Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- such materials at all times, including after seq.). ant to House Resolution 179, the pre- the material is shared in a social media post (b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after vious question is ordered on the on the platform, but only if the platform has the date of the enactment of this Act, the amendment offered by the gentle- 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United Attorney General shall submit to Congress a woman from Massachusetts (Ms. States visitors or users for a majority of report on the analysis conducted under sub- section (a), and shall include in the report PRESSLEY). months during the 12 months preceding the such recommendations, including rec- The question is on the amendment. dissemination of the materials.’’. (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments ommendations for revisions to the Foreign The question was taken; and the made by paragraph (1) shall apply with re- Agents Registration Act of 1938, as the At- Speaker pro tempore announced that spect to materials disseminated on or after torney General considers appropriate to pro- the noes appear to have it. the expiration of the 60-day period which be- mote the effective enforcement of such Act. Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. gins on the date of the enactment of this AMENDMENT NO. 41 OFFERED BY MS. SPEIER OF Speaker, on that I demand the yeas Act, without regard to whether or not the CALIFORNIA and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Attorney General has promulgated regula- Page 476, strike lines 5 through 9 and insert Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Reso- tions to carry out such amendments prior to the following: lution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. the expiration of such period. ‘‘(B) a description of the audience targeted (b) APPLICATION OF REQUIREMENTS TO PER- Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- by the advertisement, the number of views SONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.— generated from the advertisement, the num- ther proceedings on this question are (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4(b)(1) of such Act postponed. ber of views by unique individuals generated (22 U.S.C. 614(b)(1)), as amended by sub- by the advertisement, the number of times AMENDMENTS EN BLOC NO. 4 OFFERED BY MS. section (a), is amended by striking ‘‘any per- the advertisement was shared, and the date LOFGREN OF CALIFORNIA. son within the United States’’ and inserting and time that the advertisement is first dis- Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, pursu- ‘‘any person’’. played and last displayed.’’. ant to House Resolution 179, I rise to (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with re- AMENDMENT NO. 42 OFFERED BY MS. SPEIER OF offer amendments en bloc. spect to materials disseminated on or after CALIFORNIA The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the expiration of the 60-day period which be- Page 50, line 14, strike ‘‘and’’ at then end. Clerk will designate the amendments gins on the date of the enactment of this Page 50, line 20, insert ‘‘and’’ at the end. en bloc. Act, without regard to whether or not the Page 50, after line 20, insert the following: Amendments en bloc No. 4 consisting Attorney General has promulgated regula- (G) an explanation of what information the of amendment Nos. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, tions to carry out such amendments prior to State and local election officials maintain 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, the expiration of such period. with respect to an individual voter registra- (c) REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE PLATFORMS tion status for purposes of elections for Fed- printed in part B of House Report 117– DISSEMINATING INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS eral office in the State, how that informa- 9, offered by Ms. LOFGREN of California: TRANSMITTED BY AGENTS OF FOREIGN PRIN- tion is shared or sold and with whom, what AMENDMENT NO. 40 OFFERED BY MS. CIPALS.— information is automatically kept confiden- SPANBERGER OF VIRGINIA (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4 of such Act (22 tial, what information is needed to access Add at the end of subtitle B of title VII the U.S.C. 614) is amended by adding at the end voter information online, and what privacy following: the following new subsection: programs are available, such as those de- ‘‘(g) If the Attorney General determines SEC. 7105. DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS FOR MA- scribed in section 1055; TERIALS POSTED ON ONLINE PLAT- that an agent of a foreign principal trans- Page 88, after line 8 insert the following FORMS BY AGENTS OF FOREIGN mitted or caused to be transmitted informa- (and conform the table of contents accord- PRINCIPALS ON BEHALF OF CLI- tional materials on an online platform for or ingly): ENTS. in the interests of the foreign principal and SEC. 1055. REQUIRING STATES TO ESTABLISH (a) METHOD AND FORM OF DISCLAIMER; did not meet the requirements of subsection AND OPERATE VOTER PRIVACY PRO- PRESERVATION OF DISCLAIMERS BY CERTAIN (b)(2) (relating to the conspicuous statement GRAMS. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.— required to be placed in such materials)— (a) IN GENERAL.—Each State shall estab- (1) REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED.—Section 4(b) ‘‘(1) the Attorney General shall notify the lish and operate a privacy program to enable of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of online platform; and victims of domestic violence, dating vio- 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 614(b)) is amend- ‘‘(2) the online platform shall remove such lence, stalking, sexual assault, and traf- ed— materials and use reasonable efforts to in- ficking to have personally identifiable infor- (A) by striking ‘‘(b) It shall be unlawful’’ form recipients of such materials that the mation that the State or local election offi- and inserting ‘‘(b)(1) It shall be unlawful’’; materials were disseminated by a foreign cials maintain with respect to an individual and agent on behalf of a foreign principal.’’. voter registration status for purposes of elec- (B) by adding at the end the following new (2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment tions for Federal office in the State, includ- paragraph: made by paragraph (1) shall apply with re- ing addresses, be kept confidential. ‘‘(2) In the case of informational materials spect to materials disseminated on or after (b) NOTICE.—Each State shall notify resi- for or in the interests of a foreign principal the expiration of the 60-day period which be- dents of that State of the information that

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.018 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1028 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 State and local election officials maintain tion’s website and boost awareness on the in- impact of ranked-choice voting in States and with respect to an individual voter registra- stitution’s social media platforms,’’. localities with a focus on how to best imple- tion status for purposes of elections for Fed- AMENDMENT NO. 48 OFFERED BY MS. TLAIB OF ment a model for Federal elections nation- eral office in the State, how that informa- MICHIGAN wide. The study shall include the impact on tion is shared or sold and with whom, what Page 94, insert after line 25 the following voter turnout, negative campaigning, and information is automatically kept confiden- (and redesignate the succeeding provisions who decides to run for office. tial, what information is needed to access accordingly): (b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after voter information online, and the privacy (c) PRIORITY FOR SCHOOLS RECEIVING TITLE the date of enactment of this section, the programs that are available. I FUNDS.—In selecting among eligible local Comptroller General shall transmit to Con- (c) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each State shall educational agencies for receiving funds gress a report on the study conducted under make information about the program estab- under the pilot program under this part, the subsection (a), including any recommenda- lished under subsection (a) available on a Commission shall give priority to local edu- tions on how to best implement a ranked- publicly accessible website. cational agencies that receive funds under choice voting for Federal elections nation- (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: part A of title I of the Elementary and Sec- wide. (1) The terms ‘‘domestic violence’’, ‘‘stalk- ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 AMENDMENT NO. 54 OFFERED BY MS. ing’’, ‘‘sexual assault’’, and ‘‘dating vio- et seq). UNDERWOOD OF ILLINOIS lence’’ have the meanings given such terms AMENDMENT NO. 49 OFFERED BY MS. TLAIB OF In section 542(a)(1) of the Federal Election in section 40002 of the Violence Against MICHIGAN Campaign Act of 1971, as added by section Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291). 5111 of the bill— (2) The term ‘‘trafficking’’ means an act or Page 79, insert after line 9 the following (and redesignate the succeeding provisions (1) strike ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph practice described in paragraph (11) or (12) of (D); section 103 of the Trafficking Victims Pro- accordingly): ‘‘(c) ENSURING AVAILABILITY OF FORMS.— (2) redesignate subparagraph (E) as sub- tection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102). The State shall ensure that each polling paragraph (F); and AMENDMENT NO. 43 OFFERED BY MS. SPEIER OF place has copies of any forms an individual (3) insert after subparagraph (D) the fol- CALIFORNIA may be required to complete in order to reg- lowing new subparagraph: Page 666, insert after line 2 the following ister to vote or revise the individual’s voter (E) the extent to which the program in- new section (and redesignate the succeeding registration information under this sec- creased opportunities for participation by section accordingly): tion.’’. candidates of diverse racial, gender, and SECTION 6010. EXTENSION OF STATUTE OF LIMI- AMENDMENT NO. 50 OFFERED BY MS. TLAIB OF socio-economic backgrounds; and TATIONS FOR OFFENSES UNDER MICHIGAN AMENDMENT NO. 55 OFFERED BY MS. WATERS OF FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT CALIFORNIA OF 1971. Page 248, line 15, strike the closing On page 124, line 1, strike ‘‘criminal pen- (a) CIVIL OFFENSES.—Section 309(a) of the quotation mark and the second period. alties’’ and insert ‘‘criminal, civil, or other Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 Page 248, insert after line 15 the following: ‘‘(c) MINIMUM HOURS OF OPERATION OUTSIDE legal penalties’’. U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended by inserting after OF TYPICAL WORKING HOURS.—Each State On page 128, line 17, strike ‘‘criminal pen- paragraph (9) the following new paragraph: shall establish hours of operation for all poll- alties’’ and insert ‘‘criminal, civil, or other ‘‘(10) No person shall be subject to a civil ing places in the State on the date of any legal penalties’’. penalty under this subsection with respect to election for Federal office held in the State a violation of this Act unless a complaint is AMENDMENT NO. 56 OFFERED BY MS. WILLIAMS such that no polling place is open for less filed with the Commission with respect to OF GEORGIA than a total of 4 hours outside of the hours the violation under paragraph (1), or the Page 88, after line 8, insert the following: between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in time zone in Commission responds to information with re- SEC. 1055. INCLUSION OF VOTER REGISTRATION which the polling place is located.’’. spect to the violation which is ascertained in INFORMATION WITH CERTAIN the normal course of carrying out its super- AMENDMENT NO. 51 OFFERED BY MR. TORRES OF LEASES AND VOUCHERS FOR FEDER- visory responsibilities under paragraph (2), NEW YORK ALLY ASSISTED RENTAL HOUSING AND MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS. not later than 15 years after the date on Page 548, strike lines 3 through 12 and in- (a) DEVELOPMENT OF UNIFORM STATE- which the violation occurred.’’. sert the following: MENT.—The Director of the Bureau of Con- (b) CRIMINAL OFFENSES.—Section 406(a) of (c) STUDY AND REPORT ON IMPACT AND EF- sumer Financial Protection, in coordination such Act (52 U.S.C. 30145(a)) is amended by FECTIVENESS OF VOUCHER PROGRAMS.— with the Election Assistance Commission, striking ‘‘5 years’’ and inserting ‘‘10 years’’. (1) STUDY.—The Federal Election Commis- shall develop a uniform statement designed (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments sion shall conduct a study on the efficacy of to provide recipients of such statement pur- made by this section shall apply with respect political voucher programs, including the suant to this section of how they can reg- to violations occurring on or after the date program under this part and other similar ister to vote and their voting rights under of the enactment of this Act. programs, in expanding and diversifying the pool of individuals who participate in the law. AMENDMENT NO. 44 OFFERED BY MS. SPEIER OF (b) LEASES AND VOUCHERS FOR FEDERALLY CALIFORNIA electoral process, including those who par- ticipate as donors and those who participate ASSISTED RENTAL HOUSING.—The Secretary Page 154, beginning line 2, strike ‘‘at least as candidates. of Housing and Urban Development shall re- one voting system’’ and insert ‘‘a sufficient quire— (2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after number, but at least one, of voting systems, the date of the enactment of this Act, the (1) each public housing agency to provide a as determined by the Commission in con- Commission shall publish and submit to Con- copy of the uniform statement developed sultation with the United States Access gress a report on the study conducted under pursuant to subsection (a) to each lessee of a Board and the National Institute of Stand- subsection (a), and shall include in the re- dwelling unit in public housing administered ards and Technology,’’. port such recommendations as the Commis- by such agency— Page 154, beginning line 3, strike ‘‘for indi- sion considers appropriate which would en- (A) together with the lease for such a viduals with disabilities’’ and insert ‘‘to able political voucher programs to be imple- dwelling unit, at the same time such lease is serve individuals with and without disabil- mented on a national scale. provided to the lessee; and ities’’. (B) together with any income verification Page 154, beginning line 7, strike ‘‘at each AMENDMENT NO. 52 OFFERED BY MR. TORRES OF form, at the same time such form is provided polling place’’ and insert ‘‘for all in person NEW YORK to the lessee; voting options’’. Page 255, after line 16, insert the following: (2) each public housing agency that admin- AMENDMENT NO. 45 OFFERED BY MR. SWALWELL SEC. 1909. GAO STUDY ON VOTER TURNOUT isters rental assistance under the Housing OF CALIFORNIA RATES. Choice Voucher program under section 8(o) The Comptroller General of the United Page 223, line 18 , insert ‘‘, without being of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 States shall conduct a study on voter turn- subjected to intimidation or deceptive prac- U.S.C. 1437f(o)), including the program under out rates delineated by age in States and lo- tices,’’ after ‘‘vote’’. paragraph (13) of such section 8(o), to provide calities that permit voters to participate in a copy of the uniform statement developed AMENDMENT NO. 46 OFFERED BY MR. SWALWELL elections before reaching the age of 18, with pursuant to subsection (a) to each assisted OF CALIFORNIA a focus on localities that permit voting upon family or individual— Page 129, line 8, insert ‘‘, including by oper- reaching the age of 16. (A) together with the voucher for such as- ating a polling place or ballot box that false- AMENDMENT NO. 53 OFFERED BY MR. TORRES OF sistance, at the time such voucher is issued ly purports to be an official location estab- NEW YORK for such family or individual; and lished for such an election by a unit of gov- Page 255, insert before line 17, the fol- (B) together with any income verification ernment’’ before the period. lowing new section (and conform the table of form, at the same time such form is provided AMENDMENT NO. 47 OFFERED BY MR. SWALWELL contents accordingly): to the applicant or assisted family or indi- OF CALIFORNIA SEC. 1909. STUDY ON RANKED-CHOICE VOTING. vidual; and Page 220, line 20, strike ‘‘clause’’ and insert (a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall (3) each owner of a dwelling unit assisted ‘‘clause, and shall include on the institu- conduct a study on the implementation and with Federal project-based rental assistance

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.010 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1029 to provide a copy of the uniform statement The Chair recognizes the gentle- sense reform ensures that tenants and developed pursuant to subsection (a) to pro- woman from California. homeowners will have easy access to vide to the lessee of such dwelling unit— Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield voter registration and other voter-re- (A) together with the lease for such dwell- myself such time as I may consume. ing unit, at the same time such form is pro- lated information. vided to the lessee; and Mr. Speaker, this bloc of amend- Finally, there is an amendment from (B) together with any income verification ments provides important additions to the gentlewoman from California that form, at the same time such form is provided H.R. 1 that strengthen the bill and en- would ensure that the bill’s prohibi- to the applicant or tenant; hance voter access. tions against election disinformation except that the Secretary of Agriculture Among the amendments in the bloc cover false claims that voters will face shall administer the requirement under this is an amendment from the gentle- civil and other legal penalties for vot- paragraph with respect to Federal project- woman from Virginia that would re- ing. based rental assistance specified in sub- quire foreign agent disclaimers to be section (e)(1)(D), I support these amendments, and I (c) APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL MORT- included on social media content. This urge their adoption. GAGE LOANS.—The Director of the Bureau of increases transparency by requiring Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Consumer Financial Protection shall require disclaimers to be embedded on the face my time. each creditor that receives an application of a social media post itself, and those (within the meaning of such term as used in Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. disclaimers must remain whenever the Speaker, I rise in opposition to the en the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. post is subsequently shared. 1691)) for a residential mortgage loan to pro- bloc. I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen- vide a copy of the uniform statement devel- There are four amendments from the tleman from New York (Mr. REED), a oped pursuant to subsection (a) in written gentlewoman from California, includ- good friend and a problem solver. form to the applicant for such residential ing one that addresses longstanding Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today mortgage loan, within 5 business days of the privacy concerns of survivors of domes- on an issue that is so important to so date of application. tic and sexual abuse who want to reg- many of the people from my district, (d) OPTIONAL COMPLETION OF APPLICA- ister to vote but do not want their per- TION.—Nothing in this section may be con- and that is election integrity. strued to require any individual to complete sonal information to be publicly acces- I am confident in the integrity of our an application for voter registration. sible; and a second that requires all in- democracy, but the fact remains that (e) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section: person voting locations to have a suffi- over 59 percent of Americans do not (1) FEDERAL PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSIST- cient number of accessible voting ma- ANCE.—The term ‘‘Federal project-based have confidence in the integrity of our chines for their voters. election process. rental assistance’’ means project-based rent- There is an amendment from the gen- Time and time again, I have worked al assistance provided under— tleman from California that clarifies (A) section 8 of the United States Housing across the aisle with my Democratic prohibitions on polling places or ballot Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f); colleagues to try to come together on drop boxes that falsely purport to be an (B) section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 commonsense reforms to address the official location established for an elec- (12 U.S.C. 1701q); issue of election integrity, and the (C) section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez tion. National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. I would note that, in California, the issue that I am passionate about today 8013); Republican Party in southern Cali- is the question of voter ID. (D) title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 fornia established drop boxes that pur- Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), including voucher assist- North Carolina (Mr. BISHOP) and I had ance under section 542 of such title (42 U.S.C. ported to be from the registrar of vot- ers. That was deceptive. An agreement an amendment that we asked to be 1490r); considered and debated on this floor to (E) subtitle D of title VIII of the Cranston- was reached with the secretary of state Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act that they could have the boxes, but say that funds under this bill would not (42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.); they couldn’t hold themselves out to be go to States that did not have a voter (F) title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Na- the registrar of voters. ID law in place. A simple reform to tional Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. H.R. 1 calls for all States to provide make sure that we have voter ID cards 12721 et seq.); same-day voter registration. The gen- issued across America is a simple, com- (G) the Housing Trust Fund program under monsense integrity measure for our section 1338 of the federal Housing Enter- tlewoman from Michigan’s amendment makes an important addition that will election systems to make sure that our prises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of votes count and the people casting the 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4588); or help ensure the successful carrying out (H) subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney- of this requirement: States must en- votes are those individuals who are Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. sure that they have adequate copies of registered to make that vote. 11381 et seq.). registration forms and other relevant We have IDs in America for simple (2) OWNER.—The term ‘‘owner’’ has the voter registration at polling places. things like buying alcohol, renting a meaning given such term in section 8(f) of car, and going into your grocery stores the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 There is an amendment from the gen- tleman from New York that requires to get food stamps. We issue govern- U.S.C. 1437f(f)). ment IDs for EBT cards. There are sim- (3) PUBLIC HOUSING; PUBLIC HOUSING AGEN- the GAO to conduct a study on voter CY.—The terms ‘‘public housing’’ and ‘‘public turnout rates, broken down by age in ple ways to make sure that people have housing agency’’ have the meanings given States and localities that permit vot- access to identification so that they such terms in section 3(b) of the United ers to participate in elections before could perform one of the most funda- States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. the age of 18. This is an issue that mer- mental civic duties and fundamental 1437a(b)). its examination, and this amendment rights that we have, and that is to (4) RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN.—The vote. term ‘‘residential mortgage loan’’ includes will ensure that Congress is fully any loan which is secured by a first or subor- equipped to debate the issue. To ask an individual to have an ID is dinate lien on residential real property (in- There is an amendment from the gen- a simple measure, and my Democratic cluding individual units of condominiums tlewoman from Illinois that would re- colleagues did not allow us to have and cooperatives) designed principally for quire the GAO to review small-donor that debate and have an open, honest the occupancy of from 1- to 4- families. campaign financing to study the extent conversation. (f) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Hous- to which the program increases oppor- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to ing and Urban Development, the Secretary of vote ‘‘no’’ on these amendments and Agriculture, and the Director of the Con- tunities for candidates of diverse ra- sumer Financial Protection Bureau may cial, gender, and socioeconomic back- continue to work with us to ensure issue such regulations as may be necessary grounds. that the election integrity of our coun- to carry out this section. There is an amendment from the gen- try is safe and secure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tlewoman from Georgia that would re- Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 ant to House Resolution 179, the gen- quire the Director of the CFPB to work minute to the gentlewoman from Illi- tlewoman from California (Ms. LOF- with the EAC to develop a statement nois (Ms. UNDERWOOD). GREN) and the gentleman from Illinois providing certain individuals with in- Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS) each will control formation regarding voter registration rise in support of my amendment to 10 minutes. and their voting rights. This common- H.R. 1, the For the People Act.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.012 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1030 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 My amendment would require the Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, rights restored and expands early voting and Comptroller General to analyze the im- I thank the gentlewoman from Cali- simplify absentee voting; and modernize the pact of the voluntary small-donor fi- fornia for her leadership and for adding U.S. voting system. nancing program on the racial, gender, to this legislation—my legislation—the I am particularly proud and appreciative to and socioeconomic diversity of can- For the People Act, adding the Coretta Chairwoman LOFGREN and Congressman SAR- didates for public office. Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting BANES that the For The People Act incor- As the first woman and first person Prohibition Act that I wrote as long porates in Section 2402 of the legislation the of color to represent Illinois’ 14th Con- ago as 2006. Coretta Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting gressional District, I know that Ameri- Madam Speaker, section 2402 pro- Prohibition Act that I first offered in 2006 dur- cans with diverse backgrounds and ex- hibits a State that has been redis- ing the Judiciary Committee markup of the periences are electable everywhere in tricted in accordance with this legisla- Voting Rights Act of 1965 reauthorization and this country, but too often, excellent tion from doing it in the mid-decen- as standalone legislation in the 114th Con- candidates without personal wealth or nial, waiting till the next time, the de- gress. corporate backing are outspent and cennial apportionment; so no mid-dec- This provision, section 2402, prohibits a overpowered long before the voters get ade kind of redistricting that has been State that has been redistricted in accordance a say. so unhelpful to all of us. with this legislation from engaging in redis- The Brennan Center found that Madam Speaker, I rise, as well, to tricting again until after the next decennial ap- small-donor financing cannot only support the Swalwell amendments re- portionment unless required by a court to do make running for public office an op- garding the college student voting, as so to comply with the Constitution of the portunity for more Americans, but also well as prohibiting false voting polling United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, increase the racial and gender diversity places and adding colleges and univer- the Constitution of the State, or the terms or of our elected officials by giving every sities’ responsibility to give civic infor- conditions of this subtitle. candidate a fighting chance. mation to our students. Madam Speaker, this legislation is particu- My amendment would make sure I also support the privacy informa- larly timely because more than 55 years after H.R. 1 fulfills its promise of letting the tion required by the Speier amendment the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to ensure that there is no domestic vio- people decide who represents them. I we are still discussing voter suppression— lence and dating violence because your urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote. something which should be a bygone relic of voting information gets out. Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. the past, but yet continues to disenfranchise And I also support the Waters amend- racial minorities, immigrants, women, and Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen- ment that prohibits misinformation, tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. young people. which threatens potential voters with The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a water- FITZPATRICK), who can take you on a civil or legal penalties if they exercise tour of the best Philly cheesesteak shed moment for the Civil Rights Movement— their right to vote. I can assure you, it liberated communities of color from legal re- places in the world. this happens in the minority commu- Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, strictions barring them from exercising the fun- nity. damental right to civic engagement and polit- prior to my coming to Congress, I dedi- And I do support the 16-years-of-age cated my entire life as an FBI agent to ical representation. amendment, because if you can be on But uncaged by Supreme Court’s infamous fighting corruption and fighting for the front lines of civil rights and pro- 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, 570 electoral reform, having overseen that test for justice and democracy, you U.S. 529 (2013), which neutered the program for the entire Nation. H.R. 1 have the right to vote. preclearance provision of the Voting Rights sets us back. Madam Speaker, let’s educate our Act, 14 states, including my state of Texas, H.R. 1 should not be called For the young people so they can vote. I am took extreme measures to enforce new voting People. It should be called for the poli- very happy to support the en bloc. restrictions before the 2016 presidential elec- ticians. We know what we need to do to Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor, tion. fix this system, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the ‘‘For the If is not a coincidence that many of these Several of my colleagues and I have People Act of 2021,’’ which expands access to same states have experienced increasing introduced legislation that would actu- the ballot box, reduces the influence of big numbers of black and Hispanic voters in re- ally restore faith in this institution money in politics, and strengthens ethics rules cent elections. and in the electoral process: term lim- for public servants. If not for invidious, state-sponsored voter its, no budget-no pay, a balanced budg- Specifically, the For the People Act will: suppression policies like discriminatory voter et amendment, single-issue legislation, Make it easier, not harder, to vote by imple- ID laws, reduced early voting periods, and abolishing congressional pensions, end- menting automatic voter registration, requiring voter intimidation tactics that directly or indi- ing ballot harvesting, providing free early voting and vote by mail, committing Con- rectly target racial minorities, the 2016 presi- photo IDs to every registered voter, en- gress to reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act dential election might have had a drastically suring signature matching, and, with and ensuring the integrity of our elections by different outcome. the exception of military ballots, re- modernizing and strengthening our voting sys- Madam Speaker, let me list some of the sal- quiring that all ballots be received by 8 tems and ending partisan redistricting. utary features of the legislation that will make p.m. on election night. Reform the campaign finance system by re- it easier for Americans to exercise their right Mr. Speaker, this is common sense. quiring all political organizations to disclose to vote, the most precious right of all because What this body is doing today is the large donors, updating political advertisement as President Johnson said in securing pas- opposite. My colleagues are further laws for the digital age, establishing a public sage of the Voting Rights Act, the right to vote eroding trust in this system, and that matching system for citizen-owned elections, ‘‘is preservative of all other rights.’’ is a real shame because we have the op- and revamping the Federal Election Commis- H.R. 1 modernizes the voter registration portunity to fix this. sion to ensure there’s a cop on the campaign system by requiring each state to make avail- Mr. Speaker, I want to know why finance beat. able online voter registration, correction, can- House leadership refuses to put these Strengthen ethics laws to ensure that public cellation, and designation of party affiliation. issues on the floor that would un- officials work in the public interest by extend- In addition, H.R. 1: equivocally pass with overwhelming ing conflict of interest laws to the President Requires states to permit voters to register margins in the House and the Senate. and Vice President; requiring the release of on the day of a federal election, including dur- If it is going to pass overwhelmingly their tax returns; closing loopholes that allow ing early voting. here, that means the American people former members of Congress to avoid cooling- Limits the authority of states to remove reg- want it. Let’s put those on the floor. off periods for lobbying; closing the revolving istrants from the official list of eligible voters in door between industry and the federal govern- elections for federal office in the state based b 1115 ment; and establishing a code of conduct for on interstate voter registration crosschecks . Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I the Supreme Court. Requires states to provide annual reports on yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman H.R. 1 expands access to the ballot box by voter registration statistics to the Election As- from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE), my col- taking aim at institutional barriers to voting. sistance Commission. league on the Committee on the Judi- This bill ensures that individuals who have Provides HAVA funds to implement the ciary. completed felony sentences have their full voter registration modernization reforms .

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.020 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1031 Makes it unlawful to hinder, interfere or pre- Prohibiting states from restricting curbside support Trump’s hysterical and outrageous al- vent an individual from registering to vote. voting; legations of widespread voter fraud ‘‘rigging’’ Instructs the Election Assistance Commis- Imposing requirements for federal election the 2016 election. sion to develop best practices for states to contingency plans in response to natural dis- Just for the record, Madam Speaker, the deter and prevent such violations. asters and emergencies; and popular vote of the 2016 presidential election H.R. 1 explicitly prohibits ‘voter caging’, the Clarifying that failure to vote is not grounds was: pernicious practice of using returned non- for removing registered voters from the rolls. Hillary Clinton: 65,853,5160. forwardable mail as the basis for removing Of course, nothing in this legislation pro- Donald Trump: 62,884,8240. hibits or restricts the authority of states to pro- registered voters from the rolls, and it prohibits Trump’s deficit of 2.9 million was the largest vide greater opportunities for voting, and the challenges to eligibility from individuals who of any Electoral College winner in history by a bill makes that explicitly clear. are not election officials without an oath of massive margin, and despite the allegations of This litany of good measures demonstrates good faith factual basis. the current Administration, there have been Importantly, the legislation prohibits pro- all the many ways and means through which only 4 documented cases of voter fraud in the viding false information about elections to H.R. 1 expands voter participation and elec- 2016 election. tion integrity, and our experience of the pre- hinder or discourage voting and increases The same is true for the 2020 presidential vious four years counsels the urgency of penalties for voter intimidation. election, which again Donald Trump claimed I support the declaration in the legislation of adopting them. was fraudulent after losing the popular vote to the right of citizens to vote in federal elections I am much less confident of the ability of President Biden by more than 7 million votes, will not be denied because of a criminal con- one component of the bill—the title mandating and the Electoral College by 306–232, the viction unless a citizen is serving a felony sen- creation of ‘‘Independent Redistricting Com- exact margin that he claimed constituted a tence in a correctional facility and it requires missions’’—to strengthen our democracy; in landslide and epic blowout when he won the states and the federal government to notify in- fact I believe that title of the legislation should Electoral College vote in 2016. be stricken because of its potential to nega- dividuals convicted of a state or federal felony, Again, and just for the record, Madam tively effective marginalized communities and respectively, of their reenfranchisement Speaker, the popular vote of the 2020 presi- H.R. 1 promotes election accuracy, integrity, minority groups. dential election was: and security by requiring states to use indi- I am not contending that independent redis- vidual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots tricting commissions are an unconstitutional Joe Biden: 81,281,502. and that said ballots be counted by hand or an usurpation of authority belonging exclusively to Donald Trump: 74,222,593. optical character recognition device and that a state legislatures; that argument was pre- The Trump Campaign brought more than 63 voter be given the opportunity to correct his or sented and rejected by the U.S. Supreme legal challenges to the 2020 election, claiming her ballot should a mistake be made; and it Court in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona. the outcomes were tainted by wide-spread also requires that provisional ballots from eligi- Independent Redistricting Commission, 576 and massive fraud but every court, whether ble voters at incorrect polling places be count- U.S. 787 (2015). state or federal, and nearly 90 judges, includ- ed. Instead, the nation’s experience with inde- ing Trump appointees, summarily rejected The legitimacy and stability of democratic pendent redistricting commissions is still in its these baseless claims for failure of proof. governance is always enhanced by increased early stages, and I believe that instead of Of course, this did not deter the reckless voter participation in elections, so I am very mandating a one-size fits all approach, Con- 45th President who then went on to threaten pleased that H.R. 1 outlaws many practices gress should allow further experimentation to and coerce state election officials to corruptly resorted to by voting opponents to reduce occur in the states, the ‘‘laboratories of de- change vote counts and after that ploy failed, election participation. mocracy,’’ as they were described by Justice incited his loyalists to storm the U.S. Capitol In particular, H.R. 1 requires at least 15 Brandeis in New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann, and use force and violence if necessary to consecutive days of early voting for federal 285 U.S. 262 (1932). prevent the Congress from conducting the elections and that early voting locations be In addition, it appears to me that the selec- constitutionally required Joint Meeting to count near public transportation, in rural areas, and tion process laid out in the bill for choosing the electoral votes cast and announce the win- open for at least 10 hours per day. members of the independent redistricting com- ner of the presidential election. Additionally, the legislation prohibits a state missions is too random and will not result in Madam Speaker, the Trump Voter Fraud from imposing restrictions on an individual’s a commission comprised of members reflec- Commission, like many of Trump’s business ability to vote by mail and requires a state to tive of the communities directly affected by the schemes, was a massive scam built on count- carry out a program to track and confirm the work of the commission, particularly members less lies that did not hold up to any level of receipt of absentee ballots and to make this of racial and language minorities. scrutiny. information available to the voter who cast the Madam Speaker, the issue of redistricting As Members of Congress, we should be de- ballot. and how to do it fairly is a never-ending one, voting our time, energy, and resources ad- Also, the bill requires the prepayment of and, as most political scientists agree, it is vir- dressing Russian infiltration of our election in- postage on return envelopes for voting mate- tually impossible to draw most congressional frastructure and campaigns, along with other rials, which includes any voter registration and legislative districts in ways that are com- pressing issues. form, any application for an absentee ballot, petitive; redistricting exacerbates geographical Instead of enjoying and strengthening the and any blank absentee ballot transmitted by polarization, but it does not create it. protections guaranteed in the Voting Rights mail. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1 must be passed Act—people of color, women, LGBTQ individ- Madam Speaker, another important feature because many of the civil rights that I fought uals, and immigrants—have been given the of H.R. 1 is that it promotes voter access by for as a student and young lawyer have been joyless, exhausting task of fending off the con- mandating several improvements to election undermined or been rolled back by reactionary stant barrage of attacks leveled at our commu- administration, including: forces in recent years. nities by Trump and other conspiracy theo- Treating universities as voter registration To add insult to injury, the immediately pre- rists. agencies; ceding Administration issued an Executive Not only are we tasked with reversing the Requiring states to notify an individual, not Order establishing a so-called ‘‘Election Integ- current dismal state of voter suppression later than 7 seven days before election, if the rity’’ Commission to investigate not voter sup- against minorities; we are forced to refute the individual’s polling place has changed; pression, but so-called ‘‘voter fraud’’ in the blatant, propagandist lie of voter fraud. Requiring states to allow voters to sign 2016 election. To this end, I have been persistent in my ef- sworn affidavits to vote in lieu of presenting The 45th President and his followers were forts to protect the rights of disenfranchised photo ID; unceasing in their efforts to perpetuate the communities in my district of inner-city Hous- Providing accommodations for voters resid- myth of voter fraud, but it remains just that: a ton and across the nation. ing in Indian lands; myth. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of Between 2000 and 2014, there were 35 cosponsored dozens of bills, amendments, polling places, reducing long lines and wait credible allegations of voter fraud out of more and resolutions seeking to improve voters’ times for voters; than 834 million ballots cast—that is less than rights at all stages and levels of the election Requiring states to provide secured drop 1 in 28 million votes. process. boxes for voted absentee ballots in elections An extensive study by social scientists at This includes legislation aimed at: for federal office; Dartmouth College uncovered no evidence to Increasing voter outreach and turnout;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.015 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1032 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 Ensuring both early and same-day registra- Eliminating Teenage Pre-Registration; Act, 14 states, including my state of Texas, tion; Shortened Poll Hours; took extreme measures to enforce new voting Standardizing physical and language acces- Lessening the standards governing voter restrictions before the 2016 presidential elec- sibility at polling places; challenges used by vigilantes, like the King tion. Expanding early voting periods; Street Patriots in my city of Houston, to cause It is not a coincidence that many of these Decreasing voter wait times; trouble at the polls; same states have experienced increasing Guaranteeing absentee ballots, especially ‘‘Voter Caging,’’ to suppress the turnout of numbers of black and Hispanic voters in re- for displaced citizens; minority voters by sending non-forwardable cent elections. Modernizing voting technologies and mail to targeted populations and, once the If not for invidious, state-sponsored voter strengthening our voter record systems; mail is returned, using the returned mail to suppression policies like discriminatory voter Establishing the federal Election Day as a compile lists of voters whose eligibility is then ID laws, reduced early voting periods, and national holiday; and challenged on the basis of residence under voter intimidation tactics that directly or indi- Condemning and criminalizing deceptive state law; and rectly target racial minorities, the 2016 presi- practices, voter intimidation, and other sup- Employing targeted redistricting techniques dential election might have had a drastically pression tactics. to dilute minority voting strength, notably different outcome. Along with many of my CBC colleagues, I ‘‘Cracking’’ (i.e., fragmenting and dispersing H.R. 1 expands access to the ballot box by was an original cosponsor of H.R. 9, the concentrations of minority populations); taking aim at institutional barriers to voting. Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta ‘‘Stacking’’ ( combining concentrations of mi- Let me list some of the salutary features of Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization nority voters with greater concentrations of the legislation that will make it easier for and Amendments Act, which became public white populations); and ‘‘Packing’’ (i.e., over- Americans to exercise their right to vote, the law on July 27, 2006. concentrating minority voters in as few districts most precious right of all because as Presi- I also authored H.R. 745 in the 110th Con- as possible). dent Johnson said in securing passage of the gress, which added the legendary Barbara Madam Speaker, we must not allow our de- Voting Rights Act, the right to vote ‘‘is preserv- Jordan to the list of civil rights trailblazers mocracy to slide back into the worst elements ative of all other rights.’’ whose memories are honored in the naming of of this country’s past, to stand idly by as our H.R. 1 modernizes the voter registration the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and treasured values of democracy, progress, and system by requiring each state to make avail- Amendments Act. equality are poisoned and dismantled. able online voter registration, correction, can- This bill strengthened the original Voting I urge all members to join me in voting to cellation, and designation of party affiliation. Rights Act by replacing federal voting exam- pass H.R. 1, the ‘‘For The People Act of In addition, H.R. 1: iners with federal voting observers—a signifi- 2021.’’ Requires states to permit voters to register cant enhancement that made it easier to safe- Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the on the day of a federal election, including dur- guard against racially biased voter suppres- rule governing debate of H.R. 1, the ‘‘For the ing early voting. sion tactics. People Act of 2021,’’ which expands access to Limits the authority of states to remove reg- As noted earlier, in the 114th Congress, I in- the ballot box, reduces the influence of big istrants from the official list of eligible voters in troduced H.R. 75, the Coretta Scott King Mid- money in politics, and strengthens ethics rules elections for federal office in the state based Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act of 2015, for public servants. on interstate voter registration crosschecks. which prohibits states whose congressional H.R. 1 is intended to increase public con- Requires states to provide annual reports on districts have been redistricted after a decen- fidence in our democracy by reducing the role voter registration statistics to the Election As- nial census from redrawing their district lines of money in politics, restoring ethical stand- sistance Commission. until the next census. ards and integrity to government, and Provides HAVA funds to implement the Prejudiced redistricting, or gerrymandering strengthening laws to protect voting. voter registration modernization reforms. as it is more commonly known, has been used I am particularly proud and appreciative to Makes it unlawful to hinder, interfere or pre- for decades to weaken the voting power of Af- Chairwoman LOFGREN and Congressman SAR- vent an individual from registering to vote. rican Americans, Latino Americans, and other BANES that the For The People Act incor- Instructs the Election Assistance Commis- minorities since the Civil Rights Era. porates in Section 2402 of the legislation the sion to develop best practices for states to Immediately after the Shelby County v. Coretta Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting deter and prevent such violations. Holder ruling, which lifted preclearance re- Prohibition Act that I first offered in 2006 dur- H.R. 1 explicitly prohibits ‘voter caging’, the quirements for states with histories of discrimi- ing the Judiciary Committee markup of the pernicious practice of using returned non- nation seeking to change their voting laws or Voting Rights Act of 1965 reauthorization and forwardable mail as the basis for removing practices, redistricting became a favorite tool as standalone legislation in the 114th Con- registered voters from the rolls and it prohibits for Republicans who connived to unfairly gain gress. challenges to eligibility from individuals who 3 congressional seats in Texas. This provision, section 2402, prohibits a are not election officials without an oath of In the 110th Congress, I was the original State that has been redistricted in accordance good faith factual basis. sponsor of H.R. 6778, the Ex Offenders Voting with this legislation from engaging in redis- Importantly, the legislation prohibits pro- Rights Act of 2008, which prohibited denial of tricting again until after the next decennial ap- viding false information about elections to the right to vote in a federal election on the portionment unless required by a court to do hinder or discourage voting and increases basts of an individual’s status as a formerly in- so to comply with the Constitution of the penalties for voter intimidation. carcerated person. United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, I support the declaration in the legislation of The Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act sought the Constitution of the State, or the terms or the right of citizens to vote in federal elections to reverse discriminatory voter restrictions that conditions of this subtitle. will not be denied because of a criminal con- disproportionately affect the African American Madam Speaker, this legislation is particu- viction unless a citizen is serving a felony sen- voting population, which continues to be tar- larly timely because more than 55 years after tence in a correctional facility and it requires geted by mass incarceration, police profiling, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, states and the federal government to notify in- and a biased criminal justice system. we are still discussing voter suppression— dividuals convicted of a state or federal felony, Those of us who cherish the right to vote something which should be a bygone relic of respectively, of their reenfranchisement. justifiably are skeptical of Voter ID laws be- the past, but yet continues to disenfranchise H.R. 1 promotes election accuracy, integrity, cause we understand how these laws, like poll racial minorities, immigrants, women, and and security by requiring states to use indi- taxes and literacy tests, can be used to im- young people. vidual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots pede or negate the ability of seniors, racial The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a water- and that said ballots be counted by hand or an and language minorities, and young people to shed moment for the Civil Rights Movement— optical character recognition device and that a cast their votes. it liberated communities of color from legal re- voter be given the opportunity to correct his or Voter ID laws are just one of the means that strictions barring them from exercising the fun- her ballot should a mistake be made; and it can be used to abridge or suppress the right damental right to civic engagement and polit- also requires that provisional ballots from eligi- to vote but there are others, including: ical representation. ble voters at incorrect polling places be count- Curtailing or Eliminating Early Voting; But uncaged by Supreme Court’s infamous ed. Ending Same-Day Registration; 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, 570 The legitimacy and stability of democratic Not counting povisional ballots cast in the U.S. 529 (2013), which neutered the governance is always enhanced by increased wrong precinct on Election Day; preclearance provision of the Voting Rights voter participation in elections, so I am very

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.017 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1033 pleased that H.R. 1 outlaws many practices should allow further experimentation to occur laws. Many States have already taken resorted to by voting opponents to reduce in the states, the ‘‘laboratories of democracy,’’ care of these problems themselves. election participation. as they were described by Justice Brandeis in State legislatures should be changing In particular, H.R. 1 requires at least 15 New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann, 285 U.S. 262 their laws. This Capitol should not. consecutive days of early voting for federal (1932). And the people of the State of Florida elections and that early voting locations be In addition, it appears to me that the selec- definitely do not want the things that near public transportation, in rural areas and tion process laid out in the bill for choosing are in this bill. Our system is the best. open for at least 10 hours per day. members of the independent redistricting com- Frankly, leave Florida alone. Additionally, the legislation prohibits a state missions is too random and will not result in PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY from imposing restrictions on an individual’s a commission comprised of members reflec- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. ability to vote by mail and requires a state to tive of the communities directly affected by the Madam Speaker, before I reserve, can I carry out a program to track and confirm the work of the commission, particularly members make a parliamentary inquiry? receipt of absentee ballots and to make this of racial and language minorities. When a mask falls down unintention- information available to the voter who cast the Madam Speaker, the issue of redistricting ally from a speaker, what is the rule? ballot. and how to do it fairly is a never-ending one The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Also, the bill requires the prepayment of and, as most political scientists agree, it is vir- bers must properly wear their masks at postage on return envelopes for voting mate- tually impossible to draw most congressional all times. rials, which includes any voter registration and legislative districts in ways that are com- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Is form, any application for an absentee ballot, petitive; redistricting exacerbates geographical this being enforced equally on the ma- and any blank absentee ballot transmitted by polarization, but it does not create it. jority and minority? mail. For this reason, unlike the other titles of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Madam Speaker, another important feature H.R. 1, I withhold my support for Title II, Sub- Chair will not answer a hypothetical of H.R. 1 is that it promotes voter access by title E, Part 2. question, but the Speaker’s announced mandating several improvements to election Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. policy applies to all Members. administration, including: Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. So I Treating universities as voter registration the gentleman from Naples, Florida, should ask the second-rate parliamen- agencies; (Mr. DONALDS), my good friend, who tarian off the floor? Requiring states to notify an individual, not represents many of my former con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- later than 7 seven days before election, if the stituents from Illinois who have left Il- tleman is not stating a proper par- individual’s polling place has changed; linois because of overtaxation. liamentary inquiry. Requiring states to allow voters to sign Mr. DONALDS. Madam Speaker, I Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, may sworn affidavits to vote in lieu of presenting rise in opposition to H.R. 1, the For the I inquire how much time each side has photo ID; People Act. This is really just a take- remaining? Providing accommodations for voters resid- over of elections by Washington, D.C. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ing in Indian lands; Madam Speaker, I got a chance to go tlewoman from California has 41⁄2 min- Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of through some of this bill—790 pages. utes. The gentleman from Illinois has 6 polling places, reducing long lines and wait Most of these things would basically minutes. times for voters; eviscerate Florida’s election law. Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I Requiring states to provide secured drop You see, I served in Florida’s legisla- yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman boxes for voted absentee ballots in elections ture. We had the responsibility for ad- from Virginia (Ms. SPANBERGER). for federal office; justing legislation law from time to Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, Prohibiting states from restricting curbside time. Our State was a State that went I rise today in support of my amend- voting; through hanging chads in 2000, and we ment to H.R. 1 to crack down on for- Imposing requirements for federal election have made the adjustment systemati- eign-backed disinformation and propa- contingency plans in response to natural dis- cally in the State legislature to make ganda on social media. This amend- asters and emergencies; and sure that Florida has the very best ment is the text of the Bipartisan For- Clarifying that failure to vote is not grounds election laws in these United States. eign Agent Disclaimer Enhancement— for removing registered voters from the rolls. You see, on election night, November FADE—Act. Of course, nothing in this legislation pro- 3, we were done counting around 9:30. Under the FADE Act, political ads, hibits or restricts the authority of states to pro- We knew the results by 10 o’clock. We issue campaigns, and content funded or vide greater opportunities for voting, and the have absentee ballots, we have voter directed by a foreign principal and in- bill makes that explicitly clear. ID, we have early voting, and we have tended to influence the American peo- This litany of good measures demonstrates a robust count system on election day. ple must be disclosed to the Depart- all the many ways and means through which The people of Florida have never ment of Justice. But too often, this H.R. 1 expands voter participation and elec- been disenfranchised when it comes to rule does not extend to the world of so- tion integrity and our experience of the pre- elections. The people of Florida have cial media. vious four years counsels the urgency of come accustomed to having a voter Additionally, foreign agents acting adopting them. system that works. And what this body from abroad too often evade current I am much less confident of the ability of is trying to do with H.R. 1 is com- disclaimer requirements. Amid the one component of the bill—the title mandating pletely destroy Florida’s election laws. pandemic and following the 2020 gen- creation of ‘‘Independent Redistricting Com- That is, to me, ridiculous. This Capitol eral election, foreign governments con- missions’’—to strengthen our democracy; in should never allow that. If we are going tinue to exploit existing vulnerabilities fact I believe that title of the legislation should to do anything, we should replicate in our national security, including in- be stricken because of its potential to nega- what Florida has actually done. fluencing Americans directly and infil- tively effective marginalized communities and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. trating public discourse without their minority groups. UNDERWOOD). The gentleman needs to knowledge. Foreign adversaries, such I am not contending that independent redis- put his mask up. as Russia, China, and Iran, are among tricting commissions are an unconstitutional Mr. DONALDS. Madam Speaker, I the most active, and they are increas- usurpation of authority belonging exclusively to am sorry. It keeps falling down. ingly assertive in their efforts. state legislatures; that argument was pre- Madam Speaker, I was trying to Madam Speaker, this amendment sented and rejected by the U.S. Supreme make a point— will help protect against foreign influ- Court in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ence that seeks to sow political divi- Independent Redistricting Commission, 576 time of the gentleman is expired. sion and promote dangerous informa- U.S. 787 (2015). Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. tion contrary to the Foreign Agents Instead, the nation’s experience with inde- Madam Speaker, I yield an additional Registration Act. pendent redistricting commissions is still in its 15 seconds to the gentleman. My amendment would require dis- early stages and I believe that instead of man- Mr. DONALDS. Madam Speaker, the claimers—clearly stating this content dating a one-size fits all approach, Congress point is clear: 33 States have voter ID is coming from a foreign principal.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.013 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. ple to cast their ballots and have their Few bills are more antithetical to the text Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to voices be heard. of and principles underlying the First the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Amendment than H.R. 1. The numerous, overlapping, and interrelated provisions in VAN DREW), my good friend and best- Madam Speaker, I include in the this legislation combine to impose and tight- dressed member of our conference. RECORD a summary of letters sub- en severe government controls on speech Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, I mitted yesterday by the Institute for about campaigns, judicial nominees, and pol- am not so sure about that, but I thank Free Speech and others opposing icy issues in truly shocking ways. Any the gentleman for yielding. H.R. 1. American lacking expertise in campaign fi- Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH, nance law would have little to no hope of un- to H.R. 1. March 3, 2021. derstanding this bill or the voluminous re- We were warned for years about the Re H.R. 1 Would Greatly Harm Free Speech. strictions it proposes on political speech and association. The sad result will be a political rise of socialism. Well, here it is, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: The Institute for Free Speech strongly opposes H.R. 1, the Or- discourse dominated by Washington, DC in- served on a platter, using your money siders. Far from being For the People, H.R. 1 to pay for politicians campaigns. wellian For the People Act. More appro- priately known as the For the Politicians is truly For the Politicians. Do you like those robocalls during The best way to give the American people Act, this radical bill would, in fact, greatly a voice and to safeguard democracy is to pro- campaign season? harm the ability of the people to freely tect and enhance the right to free speech How about the negative TV ads and speak, publish, organize into groups, and pe- guaranteed by the First Amendment. While the mailers? tition their elected representatives in pur- the Institute takes no position on the myr- Or how about all of the political stuff suit of a better government. iad provisions in H.R. 1 that deal with elec- that just comes out? In particular, H.R. 1 would impose onerous tion administration, voting rights, and redis- and unworkable standards on the ability of Well, your tax dollars are paying for tricting, the portions of H.R. 1 that trample Americans and groups of Americans to dis- them. And, yes, this is taxpayer dol- on free speech are sufficient to warrant our cuss the policy issues of the day with elected lars, no matter how they tell you oth- firm opposition to this measure. For the officials and the public. Certain sections of erwise. above reasons, the Institute for Free Speech the bill would violate the privacy of advo- strongly opposes passage of H.R. 1. Madam Speaker, this bill puts Wash- cacy groups and their supporters, limit polit- Sincerely, ington, D.C., in charge of our States’ ical speech on the internet, and compel DAVID KEATING, elections and how those elections are speakers to recite lengthy government-man- President. run. It would keep the status quo, like dated messages identifying some of their we saw this past November, with voter supporters by name in their communica- ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, tions. rolls that are not up to date and live Springfield, IL, February 19, 2021. Importantly, these restrictions would ballots being mailed to voters who To: Illinois Federal Delegation reach far beyond campaign speech to regu- have died, moved, or even multiple bal- Fr: Illinois Representative Joe Sosnowski, late discussion of legislative issues and pub- 69th District, Illinois House of Rep- lots to the same voter. lic affairs. For advocacy groups, unions, and resentatives Madam Speaker, elections do have trade associations, several of the limits pro- TO THE ILLINOIS FEDERAL DELEGATION: As a consequences. And when leaders said posed in H.R. 1 would operate as a total ban the goal was to change America, they state legislator elected to be a voice for the on speech people of Illinois, I write to express my oppo- were telling the truth; and here we are. If signed into law, all of these provisions sition to H.R. 1/S. 1, an unconstitutional Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I would be interpreted and enforced by a newly takeover of citizens’ right to free speech and yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman partisan Federal Election Commission. association. from Georgia (Ms. WILLIAMS), who Under H.R. 1, the Commission would be radi- As elected officials, we both have a duty to serves in the seat of our late, beloved cally transformed from its historic and de- represent our constituents best interests and liberately bipartisan structure to one under a responsibility to defend the United States John Lewis. partisan control of the president. As nine Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Constitution. Therefore, it is my obligation former members of the Federal Election to urge you to oppose the deceptively named Speaker, it is our duty to not only do Commission with a combined 60 plus years of For the People Act. The legislation is ill- the work of the people, but to ensure service warned in a recent letter to Congress, considered and deeply unconstitutional, and that people have a voice in our democ- the likely impact would be to shrink public I have seen firsthand the chilling effects of racy. confidence in the impartial enforcement of the donor disclosure provisions that it would H.R. 1 amplifies the voice of the peo- campaign finance laws, weaponize these reg- enact. ple, empowers individuals to shape our ulations for partisan gain, and silence much As a member of the American Legislative political speech through new rules on groups Exchange Council, a membership organiza- democracy, and breaks down barriers that speak about public affairs to voting. It is historymaking by de- tion of state legislators dedicated to prin- H.R. 1 would also force Americans to pay ciples of limited government, free markets sign, as a portion of H.R. 1 was written for speech they oppose. This new financing and federalism. In 2013, activists launched a by my predecessor, Congressman John system is a riverboat gamble on an untest- campaign to reveal, then harass and shame, Lewis. We must honor his legacy and ed—and costly—scheme that would have the ALEC donor base. Their goal was simple: take this necessary step forward be- many unforeseen effects. Existing research Harassing ALEC donors and corporate mem- cause Georgians and all people in this has proven that similar schemes elsewhere bers would chill their participation with and country deserve to retain their right to have failed to achieve proponents’ stated support for the organization, ultimately cut- goals. Instead, the program will likely accessible elections. ting off a funding source for ALEC. incentivize—and subsidize—candidates with Worse, public elected officials used their Madam Speaker, I have added provi- hateful messages, create new avenues for platform to heighten this threat of donor sions to this bill that underscore not corruption, increase polarization, give gov- disclosure in order to further intimidate only the importance of voting, but ernment greater control over campaigns, ALEC supporters. In 2013, every company making it easier for hardworking peo- waste tax dollars, and fail markedly at im- tangentially associated with ALEC received ple to do so. And making it easier, not proving the quality of governance or the di- an official letter from US Senator Richard harder to vote, should always be our versity of those who are elected to higher of- Durbin, demanding to know whether it had main concern. fice served as a member of ALEC or provided any Madam Speaker, this week, Georgia’s At its core, H.R. 1 would greatly increase funding to ALEC, with the intent of intimi- the already high legal and administrative dating them. Durbin wrote that he would legislators moved forward to further compliance costs, liability risk, and costs to read their responses into the official Con- restrict Black and Brown communities donor and associational privacy for civic gressional record, forever memorializing from voting by enacting new ID laws groups that speak about policy issues. Orga- their support and creating a public target for absentee ballot applications and nizations will be further deterred from list for activists opposed to the organization. limiting the use of ballot drop boxes— speaking or will have to divert additional re- Even the Chicago Tribune, the Senator’s old tactics, but the same tricks. We sources away from their advocacy activities hometown newspaper that had endorsed his cannot let self-serving politicians to pay for compliance staff and lawyers. candidacy, rebuked Durbin’s attempt at cre- stack the deck through voter suppres- Some groups will not be able to afford these ating an enemies list by using his high fed- costs or will violate the law unwittingly. eral office as a cudgel against his enemies. sion and discrimination. The effect will be less speech by Americans H.R. 1/S. 1 would institutionalize this har- Madam Speaker, I urge my col- and organizations, allowing politicians to assment and intimidation and extend it to leagues to support the passage of H.R. act with less accountability to public opin- all nonprofits, regardless of their issue area 1 so that we can make it easier for peo- ion and criticism. or political persuasion. Whatever issues you

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03MR7.023 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1035 support or oppose, this should be of serious porate dollars directly to us. This is, should be working with them and local- concern to you. If this legislation is enacted, and should be, prohibited, but H.R. 1 ities to address these issues. And I passionate activists on both sides of the aisle changes that and it puts more money stand ready and willing to work with would have access to a government-run data- my Democrat colleagues to do just base of donors who give to every organiza- into politics and not less. tion from ALEC and the Family Research How about the Crime Victims Fund that, but I will not vote for a Federal Council to the ACLU and Planned Parent- or victims of domestic violence get takeover of elections and I will not hood. Does anyone doubt that the blunt in- these dollars? vote to use the Federal Government to strument of donor disclosure in H.R. 1/S. 1 Let’s make sure that we address pro- put more money into my campaign. It would put millions of Americans’ peace and grams that deal with sexual assault, is bad policy and it is bad for the livelihoods at risk of significant, material child abuse, and other crimes. This American people. harm? money will not go into the Crime Vic- Madam Speaker, I urge support for These tactics are flimsy bureaucratic the motion to recommit at the appro- structures designed to harass nonprofits and tims Fund because it is going to all of chill speech, despite fundamental violations us. All 50 State attorneys general have priate time, and I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on of the First Amendment. In keeping with to- told us that this vital Crime Victims the underlying bill. day’s cancel culture, H.R. 1/S. 1 is a govern- Fund is nearly depleted. But instead of Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- ment-sanctioned attempt to chill speech and plussing it up, here we are today, fund- ance of my time. participation. Good governance watchdogs ing our own campaigns with a ‘‘yes’’ b 1130 argue this measure increases transparency. vote. Transparency is good when applied to gov- Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I Madam Speaker, this bill isn’t for the ernment, but when it strips away Constitu- am prepared to close if the gentleman tionally protected privacy for individuals, it people. It is for the politicians. This is is ready to yield back or use the rest of is exceedingly dangerous. For the federal why I am offering a motion to recom- his time. government to expose our constituents as mit so that we can put forward a bill Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- supporters of any nonprofit’s cause would be that works for the American people. ance of my time. an enormous overreach of centralized power. Madam Speaker, if we adopt this mo- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. If passed, the donor disclosure provisions tion to recommit, we will instruct the Madam Speaker, I yield myself the bal- in H.R. 1/S. 1 would bludgeon our democratic Committee on House Administration to institutions and threaten the safety and ance of my time. peace of our everyday constituents. It would consider an amendment to remove all Madam Speaker, I would like to re- further normalize the darkness of cancel cul- public financing from this legislation. quest a meeting with the Parliamen- ture and intimidation through overregula- Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous tarian. I personally witnessed one of tion in American society. Therefore, we call consent to include in the RECORD the my Democratic colleagues imme- on you to oppose H.R. 1/S. 1. text of the amendment immediately diately remove his mask and was never Sincerely, prior to the vote on the motion to re- told to put it back on from the Chair at Representative JOE commit. the time. So all we ask for is consist- SOSNOWSKI, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ency. 69th District, Illinois objection to the request of the gen- House of Represent- Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote atives, Illinois ALEC tleman from Illinois? on this bill. I urge support for the mo- State Chair. There was no objection. tion to recommit. I urge my Demo- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. cratic colleagues: Don’t vote to put Madam Speaker, I yield myself such Madam Speaker, it is one reason I am money into your own campaigns. time as I may consume. opposed to H.R. 1, and giving Demo- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Madam Speaker, over the last couple crats another chance to join me, stop- ance of my time. Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I in- of days, I have spoken a lot about my ping this charade, stopping enriching clude in the RECORD a letter from the opposition to this bill’s creation of a themselves in their own campaign. secretary of state of Colorado, with a public fund filled with dollars from cor- This is one last chance before you do it number of other secretary of states, porate fines to directly fund the cam- again. urging support for this bill; and a let- paign coffers of every Member of this Madam Speaker, another reason I op- ter from former leaders of the Amer- institution and candidates. pose H.R. 1 is because the election And my Democrat colleagues have mandates on States in this bill go ican Civil Liberties Union and con- continued to say this isn’t public fund- against what our Founding Fathers in- cerned first amendment scholars urg- ing support. ing or corporate donations because it is tended and essentially nationalizes our election system. JENA GRISWOLD, corporate fines. COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE, So what is the truth? If signed into law, H.R. 1 would be the greatest expansion of the Federal March 2, 2021. I think my chart here tells the story. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, So we have corporate fines. That is cor- Government’s role in our elections Speaker, House of Representatives, porate dollars, something that we, as than we have ever seen. By moving Washington, DC. Members of Congress in our campaigns, these decisions to D.C., we are further Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, cannot accept right now. Those cor- removing people from the laws that Minority Leader, House of Representatives, porate dollars that pay these corporate govern their elections. People should Washington, DC. fines that we set the levels of in this have more say in how their elections Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, institution, they then go to the U.S. are run, not less. Our goal is to always ensure all eligible voters are able to Washington, DC. Government in this new—that H.R. 1 Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, creates—the Freedom From Influence vote and all lawful votes are counted. Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Fund. That is not what H.R. 1 does. And the Washington, DC. It is really a laundering machine. So only witness who has run an election DEAR LEADER SCHUMER, SPEAKER PELOSI, they launder that corporate money before said during the single House Ad- LEADER MCCONNELL, AND LEADER MCCARTHY: that we cannot accept right now into ministration hearing held on this bill It’s no accident that the 2020 elections were the Treasury and it comes out clean as that H.R. 1 will undermine many of the the most secure in American history. A mon- umental effort by election administrators— public money. It is money that used to election laws States have put into from board of elections officials, to county be used for things like the Crime Vic- place to make it easier for people to clerks, to poll workers—ensured our coun- tims Fund. Instead, this new laundered vote and improve their election process try’s democratic process was stronger than money, this taxpayer money—because for their voters. ever, even with the unique challenge posed it is public, it is under the control of One-size-fits-all mandates from by the COVID–19 pandemic. us—then goes out exponentially to all Washington will not fix the problems While the 2020 elections proved that our de- we have seen in elections across the mocracy is resilient, the elections also of us, to our campaigns to pay for at- showed us that they cannot be taken for tack ads, fundraisers, mailers, phone country. They will just cause more granted. Our elections were safe, secure, and calls, whatever you want. chaos and confusion. These issues need successful because countless patriotic Amer- But either way, it is government to be solved at the local and State icans took action to protect them. The poli- spending—government sending cor- level. Instead of dictating to States, we cies that gave voters better options to safely

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:09 Mar 04, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03MR7.018 H03MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE H1036 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 3, 2021 register to vote and cast a ballot in the face gerrymandering that have targeted commu- former Dean of the University of Chicago of the pandemic were a resounding success nities of color; overhauling our deeply in- Law School. and must now be made permanent. equitable campaign finance system; and re- Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I Modernizing elections meant that eligible ducing the influence of secret ‘‘dark money’’ yield myself the balance of my time. voters did not have to choose between cast- in federal elections. We view H.R. 1 as the ing a ballot and risking their health. It also most significant prodemocracy legislation I appreciate that the ranking mem- resulted in record turnout for both parties. since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. ber has shown us this chart because he Policies like vote-by mail for all and early Some have argued that despite the over- has proven that all of the Republican voting saw resounding success in states and whelmingly positive content of H.R.1, enact- Members claiming that there was tax municipalities across the country. Now, only ment should be delayed in the House pending money funding the pilot project for the Congress can ensure that every eligible voter legislative hearings and efforts to amend small matching donors were wrong. across America has access to these voting certain provisions in the 700-page legislation, This is a pilot project that is funded options in the future. That’s why we need to especially provisions requiring disclosure of the identities of large donors to tax-exempt by an additional fine on corporate immediately enact the For The People Act wrongdoing. It doesn’t take money (H.R. 1) into law. organizations operating on the margins of The For The People Act offers a comprehen- electoral politics We agree that, ordinarily, away from anything else. It is an addi- sive path to securing and modernizing Amer- best legislative practice would call for hear- tional fine that, if H.R. 1 doesn’t pass, ican democracy for generations to come. The ings designed to resolve First Amendment will not be imposed. bill provides clear guidance for all 50 states concerns over important legislation. But, I was interested to hear our colleague and the District of Columbia to implement given the importance of shoring up the from New Jersey say it is your money election processes that work for administra- democratic process, the limited window of that will be used. Well, it is only your tors and voters alike, and its adoption into opportunity for passage of H.R.1, the likely delay in Senate consideration, and the na- money if you are a corporate malfea- law is critical to the future of American sance individual, a corporate wrong- elections. Proven policies such as automatic ture of the First Amendment objections to and same-day voter registration will remove disclosure, we believe that immediate pas- doer that gets fined; and I don’t think administrative obstacles for eligible voters sage of H.R.1 in its present form is the pref- very many of us have sympathy for while maintaining up-to-date and accurate erable course of action. that crew. voter rolls. Voter-verified paper ballots will Objectors to immediate passage of HR 1 ap- I would like to just give some per- ensure every vote is accurately recorded and pear to us to: (1) underestimate the risks to spective here because all over the enacting HR 1 posed by substantial delay in allow administrators to run key audits to United States, because of the pan- verify election results. Other provisions, House passage; (2) understate the importance of closing loopholes in our campaign finance demic, efforts were made to allow for such as independent redistricting commis- people to vote and not have to endan- sions to combat gerrymandering and shining disclosure laws; and (3) overstate the risks to light on dark money, will further strengthen First Amendment freedom posed by the bill’s ger their health. So absentee voting be- the integrity of our elections. disclosure provisions. We live in a demo- came more of the norm. There were As the chief elections officials in our re- cratic culture saturated by great wealth. more early voting efforts, a lot of spective states, and as the administrators The Supreme Court has rendered it almost things of that nature, because of the who will be tasked with executing many of impossible to directly regulate the role of pandemic. the policies proposed in H.R. 1, we can con- money in determining electoral outcomes. And what happened? fidently state that this bill is designed to One of the few practical reform windows left open is public disclosure of the sources of There was a huge increase in turnout, make our democracy stronger and safer than both among Republicans and Demo- ever. We proudly and firmly support the For money-driven influence over electoral poli- The People Act, and we strongly recommend tics. Such disclosure is important, not only crats. It was a safe and secure election, its passage in the U.S. House of Representa- to prevent corruption, but to allow ordinary the most safe and secure election in tives and U.S. Senate. citizens to evaluate the truth of electoral modern history. There wasn’t a bunch Sincerely, speech by knowing who is paying for it. We of fraud. Katie Hobbs, Arizona Secretary of State; recognize the need to preserve anonymity for Some of my colleagues said that peo- Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State; persons whose speech or association might ple don’t trust our system. be deterred by fear of disclosure. That is why Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State; Why is that? Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the H.R.1 disclosure rules apply. only to large donations exceeding $10,000. Moreover, Because there are politicians in this State; Kimberly Bassett, Secretary of the country that are misleading the Amer- District of Columbia; Shenna Bellows, Maine current First Amendment doctrine already Secretary of State; Jocelyn Benson, Michi- provides an ‘‘as applied’’ exception to disclo- ican public about that election. And I gan Secretary of State; Steve Simon, Min- sure rules if a genuine fear of retaliatory ac- would say the former President is first nesota Secretary of State; Maggie Toulouse tion were to exist. among them, telling things that are Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State; In short, we do not view First Amendment not true and convincing people of that. Shemia Fagan, Oregon Secretary of State; concerns over the precise scope of disclosure So now that we have had this huge Nellie Gorbea, Rhode Island Secretary of requirements affecting large donors to tax exempt organizations operating on the mar- turnout because of the pandemic, we State; Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of are seeing States—Republicans, I must State. gins of electoral politics as outweighing the need for expeditious enactment of the clear- say, unfortunately, all over the United ly desirable aspects of H.R.1 into law. States trying to cut off access to the FORMER LEADERS OF THE AMERICAN We urge you to press for speedy enactment CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND CON- ballot. of H.R. 1 in its current form. In Georgia, they just passed a whole CERNED FIRST AMENDMENT SCHOL- Respectfully submitted, ARS, Aryeh Neier, President Emeritus of the slew of voter restriction measures to February 18, 2021. Open Society Foundations, ACLU Executive try and tamp down turnout, and we see Re H.R. 1, For the People Act. Director, 1970–78; Burt Neuborne, Norman hundreds of bills being introduced to do Hon. ZOE LOFGREN, Dorsen Professor of Civil Liberties Emeritus that. Chair, House Administration Committee, at NYU School of Law, ACLU National Legal I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on this en bloc Washington, DC. Director, 1981–86; Helen Hershkoff, Herbert and on the underlying bill. Hon. JOHN SARBANES, Mand. Svetlana Wachtel/Professor of Con- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Washington, DC. stitutional Law and Civil Liberties at NYU ance of my time. Hon. JERROLD NADLER, School of Law, ACLU Associate Legal Direc- Chair, House Judiciary Committee, tor, 1987–95; John Shattuck, Senior Fellow at The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Washington, DC. the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, ant to House Resolution 179, the pre- DEAR CHAIR LOFGREN, CHAIR NADLER, AND Harvard Kennedy School, Professor of Prac- vious question is ordered on the REP. SARBANES: The undersigned are former tice in Diplomacy, Fletcher School of Law amendments en bloc offered by the leaders of the American Civil Liberties and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Director of gentlewoman from California (Ms. LOF- Union (ACLU) and concerned academics who the ACLU’s Washington office, 1976–84; Ju- GREN). have devoted much of their careers to the de- dith Resnik, Arthur Liman Professor of Law The question is on the amendments fense of the First Amendment and the pro- at Yale Law School; Erwin Chemerinsky, en bloc. tection of American democracy. We write in Dean and Jesse Choper Distinguished Pro- The question was taken; and the support of speedy House enactment of H.R.1, fessor of Law at Berkley Law School, Uni- the For the People Act. versity of California; Robert Post, Sterling Speaker pro tempore announced that American democracy is at a perilous cross- Professor of Law and former Dean of Yale the ayes appear to have it. roads. H.R.1 responds with sweeping reforms Law School; Geoffrey Stone, Edward H. Levi Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, on countering voter suppression and partisan Distinguished Service Professor of Law and that I demand the yeas and nays.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:26 Jun 03, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD21\MARCH\H03MR1.REC H03MR1 sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE March 3, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1037 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Clyburn Kahele Quigley McCollum Posey Steil ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Cooper Khanna Raskin McEachin Reed Steube Correa Kildee Rice (NY) McHenry Reschenthaler Stevens 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Crist Kilmer Roybal-Allard McKinley Rice (SC) Stewart Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- Davis, Danny K. Kim (NJ) Ruiz McNerney Rodgers (WA) Stivers ther proceedings on this question are DeFazio Kirkpatrick Ruppersberger Meeks Rogers (AL) Suozzi Meijer Rogers (KY) postponed. DelBene Lamb Rush Taylor Delgado Langevin Ryan Meuser Rose Tenney Mfume Rosendale Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, DeSaulnier Lee (CA) Schakowsky Thompson (CA) Deutch Lee (NV) Miller (IL) Ross further consideration of H.R. 1 is post- Schiff Thompson (PA) Dingell Leger Fernandez Sewell Miller (WV) Rouzer poned. Miller-Meeks Roy Tiffany Doggett Levin (CA) Smith (WA) Escobar Levin (MI) Moolenaar Rutherford Timmons f Soto Eshoo Lieu Mooney Salazar Titus Speier Espaillat Lowenthal Moore (AL) Sa´ nchez Torres (CA) RECESS Stanton Evans Malinowski Moore (UT) Sarbanes Trone Strickland The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Foster Maloney, Sean Moore (WI) Scalise Turner Swalwell ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Frankel, Lois McGovern Morelle Scanlon Upton Gallego Meng Takano Mrvan Schneider Valadao declares the House in recess subject to Garcı´a (IL) Moulton Thompson (MS) Mullin Schrader Van Drew the call of the Chair. Golden Murphy (FL) Tlaib Murphy (NC) Schrier Van Duyne Tonko Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 34 Gomez Neal Nadler Schweikert Veasey Torres (NY) Gonzalez, Neguse Napolitano Scott (VA) Vela minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- Trahan Vicente Newman Nehls Scott, Austin Wagner cess. Underwood Green, Al (TX) Ocasio-Cortez Newhouse Scott, David Walberg Vargas f Grijalva Omar Norcross Sessions Walorski Vela´ zquez Norman Haaland Pallone Sherman Waltz Hastings Panetta Wasserman Nunes Sherrill b 1215 Weber (TX) Hayes Pascrell Schultz O’Halleran Simpson Webster (FL) Higgins (NY) Payne Waters Obernolte Sires AFTER RECESS Wenstrup Jackson Lee Phillips Watson Coleman Owens Slotkin The recess having expired, the House Jacobs (CA) Pingree Welch Palazzo Smith (MO) Westerman Wexton was called to order by the Speaker pro Jayapal Pocan Williams (GA) Palmer Smith (NE) Johnson (TX) Pressley Wilson (FL) Pappas Smith (NJ) Wild tempore (Ms. TITUS) at 12 o’clock and Jones Price (NC) Yarmuth Pence Smucker Williams (TX) 15 minutes p.m. Perlmutter Spanberger Wilson (SC) NAYS—302 Perry Spartz Wittman f Peters Stauber Womack Aderholt Davids (KS) Hinson Pfluger Steel Young MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT Aguilar Davidson Hollingsworth Porter Stefanik Zeldin Allen Davis, Rodney Houlahan Messages in writing from the Presi- Allred Dean Hoyer NOT VOTING—4 dent of the United States were commu- Amodei DeGette Hudson Doyle, Michael Dunn Horsford nicated to the House by Ms. Mariel Armstrong DeLauro Huffman F. Foxx Arrington Demings Huizenga Ridgway, one of his secretaries. Axne DesJarlais Issa b 1304 f Babin Diaz-Balart Jackson Bacon Donalds Jacobs (NY) Messrs. THOMPSON of California and FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021 Baird Duncan Jeffries BUTTERFIELD changed their vote Balderson Emmer Johnson (GA) from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Banks Estes Johnson (LA) Mrs. DINGELL, Messrs. GOLDEN and ant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further Barr Fallon Johnson (OH) Barraga´ n Feenstra Johnson (SD) KIM of New Jersey changed their vote consideration of the bill (H.R. 1) to ex- Bentz Ferguson Jordan from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ pand Americans’ access to the ballot Bera Fischbach Joyce (OH) So the amendment was rejected. box, reduce the influence of big money Bergman Fitzgerald Joyce (PA) Bice (OK) Fitzpatrick Kaptur The result of the vote was announced in politics, strengthen ethics rules for Biggs Fleischmann Katko as above recorded. public servants, and implement other Bilirakis Fletcher Keating A motion to reconsider was laid on anti-corruption measures for the pur- Bishop (GA) Fortenberry Keller the table. pose of fortifying our democracy, and Bishop (NC) Franklin, C. Kelly (IL) Boebert Scott Kelly (MS) MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE for other purposes, will now resume. Bost Fudge Kelly (PA) RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS The Clerk read the title of the bill. Bourdeaux Fulcher Kim (CA) Boyle, Brendan Kelly (IL) Neguse Brady Gaetz Kind AMENDMENT NO. 37 OFFERED BY MS. PRESSLEY F. (Jeffries) (Kuster) (Perlmutter) Brooks Gallagher Kinzinger Buchanan Kirkpatrick Palazzo The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Buchanan Garamendi Krishnamoorthi (LaHood) (Stanton) (Fleischmann) Buck Garbarino Kuster ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- Ca´ rdenas Langevin Payne Bucshon Garcia (CA) Kustoff ished business is the question on (Gomez) (Lynch) (Wasserman Budd Garcia (TX) LaHood DeSaulnier Schultz) amendment No. 37, printed in part B of Burchett Gibbs LaMalfa Lawson (FL) (Matsui) (Evans) Pingree (Kuster) House Report 117–9, on which further Burgess Gimenez Lamborn Deutch (Rice Rodgers (WA) Lieu (Beyer) proceedings were postponed and on Bustos Gohmert Larsen (WA) (NY)) (Joyce (PA)) Lowenthal Butterfield Gonzales, Tony Larson (CT) Frankel, Lois Roybal-Allard which the yeas and nays were ordered. (Beyer) Calvert Gonzalez (OH) Latta (Clark (MA)) (Escobar) The Clerk will redesignate the Cammack Good (VA) LaTurner Gaetz Meng (Clark Ruiz (Aguilar) amendment. Ca´ rdenas Gooden (TX) Lawrence (McHenry) (MA)) Rush The Clerk redesignated the amend- Carl Gosar Lawson (FL) Grijalva (Garcı´a Moore (WI) (Underwood) Carter (GA) Gottheimer Lesko ment. (IL)) (Beyer) Speier (Scanlon) Carter (TX) Granger Lofgren Hastings Moulton Vargas (Correa) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Cartwright Graves (LA) Long (Wasserman (McGovern) Watson Coleman question is on the amendment offered Case Graves (MO) Loudermilk Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) (Pallone) by the gentlewoman from Massachu- Cawthorn Green (TN) Lucas Huffman Napolitano Wilson (FL) Chabot Greene (GA) Luetkemeyer (McNerney) (Correa) (Hayes) setts (Ms. PRESSLEY). Cheney Griffith Luria The vote was taken by electronic de- Cline Grothman Lynch AMENDMENTS EN BLOC NO. 4 OFFERED BY MS. vice, and there were—yeas 125, nays Cloud Guest Mace LOFGREN OF CALIFORNIA Clyde Guthrie Malliotakis The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 302, not voting 4, as follows: Cohen Hagedorn Maloney, [Roll No. 57] Cole Harder (CA) Carolyn B. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- Comer Harris Mann YEAS—125 ished business is the question on the Connolly Harshbarger Manning adoption of amendments en bloc No. 4, Adams Bowman Casten Costa Hartzler Massie Auchincloss Boyle, Brendan Castor (FL) Courtney Hern Mast printed in part B of House Report 117– Bass F. Castro (TX) Craig Herrell Matsui 9, on which further proceedings were Beatty Brown Chu Crawford Herrera Beutler McBath postponed and on which the yeas and Beyer Brownley Cicilline Crenshaw Hice (GA) McCarthy nays were ordered. Blumenauer Bush Clark (MA) Crow Higgins (LA) McCaul Blunt Rochester Carbajal Clarke (NY) Cuellar Hill McClain The Clerk will redesignate the Bonamici Carson Cleaver Curtis Himes McClintock amendments en bloc.

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