CONGRESSMAN MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO SAFEGUARD OUR DEMOCRACY

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, landmark legislation that would implement sweeping anti-corruption measures to expand and protect Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules across all three branches of government to bolster our democracy.

"This legislation makes necessary strides to safeguard our democracy by combatting the influence of special interests in politics, weeding out corruption and abuse of power, and ensuring every single American can have their voice heard at the ballot box," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 1 once again and put the power of our democracy back into the hands of hardworking Americans."

• Protect the Sacred Act of Voting – H.R. 1 incorporates the goals of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to create automatic voter registration across the country; prohibit voter roll purges; expand early voting; simplify absentee voting; and end partisan redistricting.
• Ensure Election Security – H.R. 1 increases oversight of election vendors and requires the development of a national strategy to protect U.S. democratic institutions from hacking or other potential disruption.
• Return the Power to the People – H.R. 1 requires all organizations involved in political activity to disclose their large donors, including strengthened oversight of Super PACs; updating online political ad disclosure requirements; and installing a new campaign finance system that empowers small donors.
• Enhance Ethics Enforcement – H.R. 1 overhauls the Office of Government Ethics; closes loopholes for lobbyists and foreign agents; tightens the revolving door between the government and special interests; and ensures watchdogs have sufficient resources to enforce the law.

"I urge my colleagues in the United States Senate to join us in this legislation's swift passage and bring the necessary voter reforms Americans demand," Congressman Morelle added.

The For The PeopleAct was first introduced during the 116^th Congress. It passed in the House of Representatives on March 8, 2019, where it later stalled in the Senate.