Ruppersberger Supports Landmark Election Reform Package

(Washington, DC) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today joined a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in supporting sweeping anti-corruption legislation that will protect and expand voting rights and reduce the dominance of lobbyists and special interests in American politics. H.R. 1, the For the People Act, passed by a vote of 220 to 210 and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The bill was authored and championed by fellow Maryland Democrat, Congressman John Sarbanes.

“The election of 2020 underscored the need for wholesale reform in Washington,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Americans across the country faced voter suppression, voter intimidation and a deluge of untraceable money raised on behalf of candidates across the country. This legislation will end the chaos and corruption, streamline the election process and reduce the amount of time lawmakers have to spend raising money – enabling us to accomplish far more on behalf of the American people.”

Key provisions of the For the People Act include:

• Expanding automatic voter registration and same-day registration;
• Improving vote-by-mail, early voting and ballot access;
• Requiring states to use paper ballots, allowing for thorough audits and accurate recounts;
• Strengthening efforts to protect our digital and physical election infrastructure;
• Enhancing penalties for voter intimidation and voter suppression;
• Fixing partisan gerrymandering by creating independent redistricting commissions in each state;
• Requiring disclosure of dark money and reducing the influence of lobbyists;
• Creating a campaign finance system that empowers small donors with matching funds paid by lawbreakers, not taxpayers;
• Enforcing ethics and conflict of interest rules for all government officials.

For more information about H.R. 1 see here.