Deutch Statement on House Passage of Major Democracy Reform

Statement

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Vice Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force, issued this statement following House passage of the "For The People Act" (HR 1):

"Today, House Democrats stood united in support of sweeping reforms that will restore a government of, by, and for the American people.

"Over the past decade, America's elections have been broken by the Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United decision that has allowed unlimited campaign spending and unaccountable dark money, gerrymandering that lets candidates pick their voters rather than voters picking their candidates, and gaps in our ethics rules that let government officials fill their bank accounts rather than fulfilling their promises to serve the American people.

"Today is only the beginning. I will continue fighting for an amendment to overturn Citizens United to get money out of politics so that Congress represents the people, not ultra-wealthy campaign funders and corporate lobbyists. Unlimited money in politics has produced polarization that makes it impossible to find common ground on infrastructure and growing jobs, gridlock that prevents action on climate change, and distorted priorities that puts protecting profits of gun and drug makers above saving lives from gun violence and overdoses. H.R. 1 will change that. It's time to restore democratic principles and demand that our government is working for the people."

H.R. 1 includes reforms that will:
Make it easier to vote by making it easier to register, making it harder to kick people off the voting rolls, and expanding opportunities to vote with longer hours and more early voting.
Make it easier for Americans to have a voice in their government by ending secrecy that allows unlimited dark money to flood elections and strengthening enforcement of our election laws.
Improve representation in Congress by ending partisan gerrymandering that lets candidates pick their voters rather than empowering voters to pick their candidates.
Crackdown on corruption by requiring disclosure of presidential candidate tax returns, enforcing conflict of interest rules, and banning Members of Congress from serving on corporate boards.

H.R. 1 includes proposals drafted by Congressman Deutch:

Support for the Democracy For All Amendment to overturn Citizens United.
The Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act to require disclosure of political fundraising activities by nominees to high-level executive offices and task ethics officials with helping to resolve those conflicts.
Reporting requirements for states to disclose when they invalidate absentee and mail-in ballots because of signature mismatches.

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