RELEASE: Auchincloss Amendments Included in Passage of “For the People” Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the “For the People Act,” which will expand voting rights and empower citizens through sweeping electoral reform. Included in the final passage were two amendments from Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04). The first amendment offered by Congressman Auchincloss would expand the requirements for states to receive grants for poll worker recruitment and training to ensure the state includes dedicated poll worker recruitment for youth and minors, including by recruiting at institutions of higher education and secondary education. The second amendment offered by Congressman Auchincloss would help ensure that young voters are not discriminated against by voter challenges by adding “age” to the list of bases upon which voter challenges by persons other than election officials will be presumed as lacking a good faith factual basis.
“To strengthen the bill, I have offered two amendments to empower our generation, and younger generations, to work together to tackle the challenges that will define our lifetimes,” said Auchincloss. “Challenges like climate change, gun violence and white supremacy will wait for no one. The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, and my amendments will expand and protect this right for young people – and ensure that anyone who is able to participate in our democracy has a chance. The ‘For the People Act’ must live up to its name, and I am proud to support these amendments that bolster its promise and reinforce the importance of a democracy that brings all Americans – regardless of age, race, gender identity or income – to the ballot box to cast their vote.”
Auchincloss’ floor speech on his amendments can be watched HERE.
This sweeping package of pro-democracy and anti-corruption reforms puts power back in the hands of the American people as it protects safe and fair elections through improving access to the ballot box, promoting election integrity, and ensuring election security; ends the dominance of big money in our politics by guaranteeing disclosure of political ads, empowering citizens with a multiple matching system for small donations, and strengthening campaign finance oversight; and ensures public servants work for the public interest by fortifying ethics law and imposing greater ethics enforcement in Washington.
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