Chairman McGovern Votes to Pass Historic Voting Rights, Anti-Corruption and Ethics Reforms

H.R. 1, the For The People Act, Will Clean Up Corruption in Washington, Protect and Expand the Right to Vote, and Restore Ethics and Integrity to Government

Washington, March 3, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern joined House Democrats in voting to pass H.R. 1, the For The People Act, a sweeping anti-corruption package to clean up Washington, protect and expand voting rights, restore integrity to government, and put the needs and priorities of the American people ahead of special interests.

“House Democrats are delivering on our promises,” said Chairman McGovern. “By passing the most comprehensive, transformative democracy reform legislation in five decades, we are working to end the cycle of corruption and special-interest influence that dominates Washington, restore integrity and decency to our politics, and protect the right to vote. This bill is not about helping or hurting Republicans or Democrats – it's about putting government back on the side of hardworking families and putting power back in the hands of the American people.”

“Today’s passage of the For the People Act is the result of Chairman Jim McGovern’s longtime advocacy to make our government work for everyday families,” said End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “This historic bill strikes at the heart of Washington’s dysfunction by ending the stranglehold special interests and wealthy donors have over our system and protecting the right to vote. We thank Congressman McGovern for helping lead the effort to pass the For the People Act, and we look forward to working with him to make sure it gets signed into law.”

H.R. is a rescue plan for our democracy. It will help fix our broken political system by:

  • Expanding automatic voter registration and same day registration.
  • Fixing partisan gerrymandering so voters pick their representatives and not the other way around.
  • Forcing disclosure of dark money.
  • Enforcing ethics and conflict of interest rules for all government officials.
  • Reining in lobbyist influence.
  • Empowering small donors with matching funds paid for by lawbreakers, not taxpayers.
  • Strengthening vote by mail, early voting, and ballot access.
  • Combating voter intimidation and voter suppression.
  • Protecting elections from foreign interference.
A fact sheet about the bill’s provisions is available here.