Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Michael J. McQuerry
March 4, 2021                                                       202-215-8524

PRESS STATEMENT

HOUSE PASSES H.R. 1 - TRANSFORMATIVE DEMOCRACY REFORM AND CLEAN GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL 

“This Bill contains amendments authored by me that represent long overdue recognition of territorial voting rights issues, and the important contributions of the territories to the United States and American democracy,” stated Congresswoman Plaskett.

Washington DC - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which contains language introduced by Congresswoman Plaskett:

“Today, the Democratic House is building on our progress by once again passing H.R. 1, the For The People Act, the most significant voting rights and democracy reform in more than half a century.  This package will:

· Fight big money in politics: take on the power of special interests, end dark money, and ensure public officials are working in the public interest. 

· Expand voting rights: ensure we have secure, accurate elections and stop voter suppression efforts designed to stop people from voting based on who they will vote for. 

· End extreme partisan gerrymandering: create a non-partisan, open process to draw transparent and fair congressional district maps. 

· Hold elected officials accountable: implement tougher ethics laws to ensure elected officials are held accountable.

“As for the Virgin Islands - H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, contains my amendment to establish a Congressional Task Force to review federal voting rights and election issues facing U.S. territories.  It would require the Task Force to make recommendations to Congress on providing U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. territories with equitable voting representation in Congress, voting rights in presidential elections, and full and equal inclusion under federal voting and election laws.  

“The bill also includes my amendment to permit each of the U.S. territories to provide and furnish statues for inclusion in the National Statuary Hall collection in the U.S. Capitol.  This is an important provision that allows each of the territories representation among the statues in the Halls of Congress.

“Furthermore, the bill also includes an additional amendment authored by me to include the territories in provisions that assist with voter registrations, including the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (also known as the Motor Voter Act), as well as to apply federal voter protection laws to the territories.   This would extend federal prohibitions against voter intimidation and voter interference to federal elections in the territories. 

“These provisions represent long-overdue recognition of territorial voting rights issues and the important contributions of the territories to the United States and American democracy. In light of accelerating partisan efforts to thwart the electoral process and disenfranchise voters, primarily in communities of color, and the rising influence of powerful mega-donors that drown out the voices of voters - passage and enactment of this legislation is critical. ”

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