LaMalfa Opposes Partisan Legislation to Endanger Election System

Statement

Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after opposing H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which passed the House with largely Democrat support.

LaMalfa said: "Last Congress, H.R. 1 was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which allowed American taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money where it belongs -- in their pockets. In 1995, it was the Congressional Accountability Act to bring more transparency and oversight to Congress. Now, under Democrat leadership, H.R. 1 is a bill designed to re-elect more Democrats to Congress using billions of taxpayer dollars. It weakens election security, promotes shady practices like ballot harvesting, further weakens voter ID laws, impedes free speech, and gives convicted felons the right to vote. None of these things are a good idea -- even the ACLU says this bill is unconstitutional. This bill is not for the people, but rather, is full of self-serving policies that only benefit the politicians who authored it. H.R. 1 says a lot about the priorities of Democrat leadership this Congress -- themselves."

Rep. LaMalfa Speaks in Opposition to Partisan Legislation to Endanger Election System (H.R.1). [YouTube]

The top 10 most egregious provisions of H.R.1, compiled by the House Committee on Administration:

Creates a 6:1 government match to any small donor contributions of $200 or less in a congressional or presidential campaign, meaning for every $200, the federal government will match $1,200 using taxpayer dollars.

Creates a new voucher pilot program that grants eligible voters a $25 voucher to donate to any campaign of their choosing.

Weaponizes the Federal Election Commission by altering the current bipartisan makeup of a six-member commission to a partisan five-member commission which will limit free speech and make partisan decisions about election communications.

Weakens the voting system of the American people by increasing the election system's vulnerability and failing to implement the necessary checks and balances regarding who is registering to vote. H.R. 1 will force states to allow online voter registration, automatic voter registration, and same-day voter registration with no safeguards.

Raises constitutional concerns under the First Amendment by proposing to limit free speech and imposing vague standards that disadvantage all groups who wish to advocate on behalf of any legislative issue.

Diminishes the process of Election Day voting by expanding "no excuse" absentee voting and allowing for any eligible voter to be able to cast their ballot by mail with no additional safeguards to this process.
Disregards state voter identification laws by allowing sworn statements to be used in place of identification and allowing for signature verification, which can be submitted through a photo if the voter registers online.

Does not provide states adequate enforcement mechanisms to guard against fraud.

Impedes states' ability to determine their registration and voting practices, as protected under Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution and violates separation of powers by Congress mandating ethics standards for the Supreme Court. H.R. 1 is a constitutional overreach.

Forces states to count provisional ballots cast outside of the voter's correct precinct which will inevitably result in the election of candidates at the state and local level by non-qualified residents.

Source