Historic For the People Act Passes U.S. House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the sweeping democracy reform bill H.R. 1 on Wednesday, advancing the most ambitious elections legislation in a generation. The bill would establish automatic voter registration, require independent redistricting commissions to tackle gerrymandering, restrict dark money donations, expand absentee voting and much more. H.R. 1 advanced along party lines, with a final vote of 220-210.
The Democrats’ sweeping reform bill would restore and strengthen American democracy in the wake of a tumultuous and disturbing four years. Republicans are already making their opposition to free and fair elections heard, with former President Donald Trump attacking the legislation at length during last weekend’s CPAC conference.
H.R. 1 now heads to the Senate for the second time, where then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ky.) previously blocked it in 2019.