Should Congress mandate new voting, campaign finance, and ethics rules?

Government Operations (e.g., Election Laws)
For the People Act (H.R. 1)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

H.R. 1, For the People Act, demands systemic reform of the institutional processes of American democracy, in the interest of improved equality, accessibility, and representation. Proposed reform measures are categorized into three categories -- voting, campaign finance, and ethics. If passed, the bill would, for instance, require automatic voter registration in all states, end partisan gerrymandering, and encourage small-dollar campaign donations, among many reforms. The bill targets ‘big money’ donations and foreign interference as eroding to our democracy’s foundation. Additional overhaul of the Office of Government Ethics is intended to tighten the ethical standard for government officials. Sponsor: Rep. John Sarbanes (Democrat, Maryland, District 3) A detailed section-by-section summary may be found here: https://democracyreform-sarbanes.house.gov/sites/democracyreform.house.gov/files/SIMPLE-SECTION-BY-SECTION_H.R.-1_FINAL.pdf
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Opponents say

• “Overall the bill is designed to auto-enroll likely Democratic voters, enhance Democratic turnout, with no concern for ballot integrity. The bill also strips state legislatures of their role in drawing congressional districts, replacing them with commissions that are ostensibly independent. In practice commissions have turned out mostly to favor Democrats, as in New Jersey and California." Source: The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board
• “Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues are advertising it as a package of urgent measures to save American democracy. What it really seems to be is a package of urgent measures to rewrite the rules of American politics for the exclusive benefit of the Democratic Party." Source: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican, Kentucky)

Proponents say

• "If we are able to get the reforms that are embodied in HR1 into law, it would be absolutely transformational. It would be the most robust, breathtaking set of reforms that we’ve seen in two generations, and it would, in a way, with a kind of quantum leap, push our democracy towards a place where Americans could feel faith again, and restore their trust in how we operate." Source: Rep. John Sarbanes (Democrat, Maryland, District 3)
• "H.R. 1 will protect the right to vote, ensure the integrity of our elections, hold elected officials accountable and end the era of big, dark, special-interest money in our politics...Our historic reform effort will clean up decades of dysfunction in Washington, return power to the people and build a more just, equitable and prosperous country for all Americans." Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California, District 12)
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