LWVUS Supports the Return of H.R. 1 in the 117th Congress

The For the People Act will create a stronger democracy with fairer elections for all Americans

WASHINGTON — Late Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping democracy reform bill that was first introduced in 2019.  

“The For the People Act is the democracy reform bill the American people want and deserve. The League of Women Voters is proud to pledge our continued support for this groundbreaking legislation, just as we did when it was first introduced in the last Congress,” said Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “This comprehensive piece of legislation is the most expansive democracy reform agenda we have seen since the Voting Rights Act was passed more than 50 years ago. It will reinstall faith in our democracy by making elections fairer and putting power back into the hands of the American people. The League of Women Voters is committed to working with members of all parties to ensure passage in both the House and Senate. We look forward to seeing the For the People Act cross the finish line and signed into law by the new administration.”  

The League has supported H.R. 1 since it was first introduced and has lobbied legislators to support the package. As proponents of this comprehensive reform, the League worked with members of Congress to shape key pieces of the legislation, including expanding automatic voter registration, same day voter registration, online voter registration, and ending political and racial gerrymandering once and for all. Other key components of H.R. 1 include: a focus on restoring the Voting Rights Act (VRA), ethics reform, and a new public financing system. 

“This legislation, combined with the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4) and legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. (H.R. 51) must be the first priorities of our new Congress in 2021,” Kase continued. “We urge the U.S. Senate to move this legislation forward when it reaches them, and call on all legislators, no matter their party affiliation, to support this legislation that is indisputably in the best interest of the American people. Our election system should be free, fair, and accessible to all Americans. The For the People Act’s comprehensive package of democracy reforms is what we need to put our democracy back on a righteous path.” 

When the legislation was introduced in 2019, the League announced its support for H.R. 1 in conjunction with a press conference led by Speaker Pelosi and House members unveiling the legislation. H.R. 1 has already achieved widespread popularity, as the bill covers necessary structural democracy reform voters have asked for and that our nation needs.  

The League of Women Voters sent a memo to the incoming administration prioritizing support for H.R. 1, which is available HERE. 

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PRESS CONTACT: Kayla Vix | 202-809-9668 | [email protected]