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Schneider Statement on House Passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act

March 3, 2021

Landmark legislation will reform democracy by expanding voting rights and holding elected officials accountable

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping government reform package that restricts the influence of dark money in campaigns, fixes partisan gerrymandering, expands voting rights protections and strengthens ethics rules.

"At a time when our democracy is under threat like never before, we must reaffirm our democratic commitment to ‘We the People.' Today's passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, will expand voting rights, restrict dark money in politics, and hold elected officials accountable. I am proud to vote for this landmark legislation to ensure a brighter democratic future for all Americans," said Schneider.

The full text of H.R. 1 is available here.

The For the People Act will:

  • Hold elected officials accountable: implement tougher ethics laws to ensure elected officials are held accountable.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • End extreme partisan gerrymandering: create a non-partisan, open process to draw transparent and fair congressional district maps.

Included in the package was an amendment offered by Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) that would require disclosure of donations of $5,000 or more to political committees, including super PACs, made 20 days or less before an election in order to ensure transparency of contributions not likely to be disclosed through regular reporting requirements before an election.