House Democrats’ First Bill Focuses On Increasing Voting Access

PROVO, UT - NOVEMBER 6: A couple walks into a polling center to vote in the midterm elections on November 6, 2018 in Provo, Utah. Utah early voting has been highest ever in Utah's midterm elections. One of the main p... PROVO, UT - NOVEMBER 6: A couple walks into a polling center to vote in the midterm elections on November 6, 2018 in Provo, Utah. Utah early voting has been highest ever in Utah's midterm elections. One of the main proportions on the ballet in Utah is whether Utah will legalize medical marijuana. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are unveiling their first bill for the new Congress, a good-government package to limit big money in politics, make it easier for citizens to vote and require presidents to disclose their tax returns.

The legislation, called H.R. 1, sets the tone for Democrats as they take the majority in January.

The bill would create national voter registration and expand access to early, online voting. It would increase federal support for state voter systems, including paper ballots to prevent fraud.

Political groups would need to disclose donors, and members of Congress would be barred from serving on corporate boards.

In a nod to President Donald Trump’s resistance to releasing his tax returns, the bill would require presidents to do so. It also would create a Supreme Court ethics code.

Notable Replies

  1. Sounds good.

    In the Senate Mitch McConnell isn’t planning to bring it up for a vote.

    People should start contacting Republican senators now!

  2. We know this will never get to a vote in the Senate. But it will be topic one on Election Day 2020 (along with a lot of other legislation that the House will pass). Next election nobody will be able to say that the Democrats do not have a platform to run on.

  3. Most of this would be unconstitutional even if it passed.

    Elections are state powers, the SCOTUS is a separate branch that controls it’s own rules,

    President Taxes could likely be pushed through. They should have done something stupidly simple here and bashed Republicans over the head with it.

  4. Avatar for fgs fgs says:

    I don’t do this very often, but here goes:

    We the People of the United States, …

    Article. I.


    Section. 4.

    The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

    The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

    Section. 5.

    Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members,

  5. Avatar for fgs fgs says:

    Yes, yes and more yes! I know better but I almost feel like someone listened! One of the worst antidemocratic aspects of the Senate is their shadowy, virtual filibuster. The first way Senators try to kill ideas is to simply spread rumors that there isn’t support for them. Without ever voting or even admitting how they would vote. The Republican House wouldn’t even try to pass a bill against which Mitch McDonald had spread a strong enough rumor, but the Democratic House ABSOLUTELY SHOULD!.

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