Sarbanes Statement on Introduction of the Senate Companion to H.R. 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), the principal author of H.R. 1, released the following statement today after Senate Democrats introduced the For the People Act companion bill:

"Today's introduction of the Senate companion to H.R. 1, the For the People Act, marks an important step forward in our fight to clean up Washington and return to government of, by and for the people. Every single Democrat in the House and Senate has now come together to back this historic piece of legislation – a sweeping reform package that will curb corruption in Washington, establish clean and fair elections, end the dominance of big money in our politics and ensure the right to vote.

"I want to applaud Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Merkley for their leadership in introducing the Senate companion to H.R. 1, as well as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for embracing this important effort.

"If Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to block H.R. 1 and stand between the American people and their democracy, he'll have a political price to pay. In our critical and urgent effort to clean up the culture of corruption in Washington and put the American people back in charge, Mitch McConnell might be the immovable object – but H.R. 1 and the American people are the unstoppable force."

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