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Election Overhaul Plan Secures Wide Backing of House Democrats

February 23, 2021

House Democrats are preparing to pass sweeping legislation to revamp election and campaign finance rules next week on a party-line vote that portends an uphill battle in the Senate, where it faces stiff Republican opposition. Supporters of the bill (H.R. 1) announced Monday that all 221 House Democrats signed on to the nearly 800-page measure that would ease voting rules and strengthen restrictions on money in politics, including provisions on guaranteeing voting by mail, public campaign funding, and automatic voter registration.... Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), the lead sponsor and coordinator of action on the Democratic bill, pointed specifically to Republican state legislatures across the country advancing "a record number of voter suppression schemes in a blatant attempt to silence the voices of Americans — especially in communities of color — and block people from voting in our elections." In an emailed comment, Sarbanes said congressional Democrats "remain united and committed in our effort to swiftly pass H.R. 1 and prevent these insidious, Republican-led efforts from taking effect."