H.R. 1: The Fight Goes On

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FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | November 12, 2020freadshot

“The battle to enact H.R. 1 will continue full speed ahead – for as long as it takes – to repair our democracy.” 

History makes clear that fundamental change does not come easily or happen quickly. That is why at a press conference on January 8, 2019 supporting H.R. 1, historic democracy reform legislation, I said:

“We do not enter this battle with rose-colored glasses. We know the battle will be difficult and will take time. We envision a three- to five-year battle.”

We are now about to enter Year Three of this potential five-year battle. We have made great progress in the past two years. In March 2019, H.R. 1 passed the House with the support of every Democrat. Later that month, H.R. 1’s Senate companion bill was supported by every Democratic Senator and the two Independent Senators.

The 2020 elections produced a new President and a Democratic-controlled House led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Both are committed, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, to enacting H.R. 1. Control of the Senate will be decided by the two Senate runoff races in Georgia in January.

Earlier this year, President-elect Biden said H.R. 1 would be a top priority for him if elected. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Schumer have also said it is a top priority for them. Biden is a longtime national leader on public financing of federal elections, which is essential to combat the corrupting influence of big money in American politics.

In 2016, Biden explained his strong support for public financing, stating, “If you want to change overnight, instantaneously, the electoral process in America and the way we handle issues, have public financing. I guarantee you it would change overnight.”

Last week, Speaker Pelosi announced that H.R. 1 would again be the first order of business for the House in 2021, saying:

“Our Democratic House will proudly pass our election reform, anticorruption and voting rights legislation by passing H.R. 1 on the first day of the new Congress.”

The enormous campaign finance and voting rights problems revealed in the 2020 elections have only affirmed just how essential it is to fix our broken political system and corrupt campaign finance system.

The battle to enact H.R. 1 will continue full speed ahead – for as long as it takes – to repair our democracy.

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