Bryan Watch: Mar 2021 I

In some respects, it is Deja Vu in the House this week, as bills from 2019 and 2020 were introduced once again. HR 1, the For the People Act, is a comprehensive package of election and campaign finance reforms. It passed the House in March 2019, and sat on Mitch McConnell’s desk for the next 18 months.

The other major bill this week was HR 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was introduced shortly after the death of Mr. Floyd in Minneapolis. In passed the House on June 25, and languished in the Senate for the rest of the year. (RC 119, June 25, 2020)

Election Reform Bill Moves to Senate

The House passed HR 1 on Wednesday on a straight party line vote of 220 to 210. (RC 62) Bennie Thompson of Mississippi was the only Democrat to vote no. Republicans also supported a motion by Rep. Rodndey Davis (IL) to send the bill back to the Committee on House Administration. (RC 61, Mar 3)

Most of Tuesday and Wednesday was spent debating amendments to HR 1. Two members of the squad came forth with some interesting proposals.

Cori Bush, the new member from Saint Louis, brought forth a proposal to allow felons, including those are incarcerated, the right to vote in federal elections. The effort failed, but did get the support of 97 Democrats. (Bush amendment 14, RC 53, Mar 2)

And Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts proposed lowering the voting age in federal elections to 16, an idea that got the support of 125 Democrats, the majority of the caucus. The idea failed 302 to 125, but this shows the idea is gaining strength. (Pressley amendment 37, RC 57, Mar 3)

Zoe Lofgren of California led the floor debate on HR 1 for Democrats, and shepherded several en bloc amendment packages (RC 52 , 55 and 58)

Among the 32 Democratic amendments that were added:

- an idea by Rep. Spanberger (VA) to require disclaimers on social media ads paid for by foreign agents, to expose foreign interference in US elections (Amdt 40)

- a move by Jackie Speier (CA) to protect the identities of victims of domestic and sexual abuse while allowing them to register to vote (Amdt 42)

- An amendment by Rep. Swalwell to prevent groups from placing phony ballot boxes, a move pulled by the Republican Party of California in 2020 (Amdt 46)

- Several amendment by Squad member Rosa Tlaib that would make it easier for low-income and working people to register and vote (Amdt 48-50)

- A proposal by Rep. Williams (GA) to provide new residents of Section 8 housing with information about registering to vote (Amdt 56)

- An amendment by Rep. Reuben Gallego (AZ) on Native American voting rights (Amdt 22)

- Amendments from Rep. Lawrence (MI) on improving mail service efficiency in dealing with election related materials (Amdt 26 and 27)

- An amendment by Rep. Manning (NC) on fair and equitable waiting times at polling places, a major issue during the 2020 election (Amdt 31)

- Several amendments by Rep. Plaskett of the Virgin Islands, regarding voting rights for territorial citizens (Amdt 33, 34) and also allowing territories to send statues of important historical figures to Statuary Hall in the US Capitol (Amdt 35)

Interestingly enough, Republicans voted against amendments offered by their own members, such as a proposal by Michael Burgess (R-TX) on military voters, as well as several other Republican ideas. Lofgren’s en-bloc amendment No 1, which contained the Republican ideas, passed without a single Republican voting for it – not even the sponsors of the amendments. (RC 52, Mar 2)

An attempt to Rep Rodney Davis (IL) to eliminate a national commission with the purpose of

"Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic Instructions" failed on a vote of 207 to 218.

Only Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) and Michael Gallagher (WI) stood up for protecting democacy. (RC 54, Mar 2)

As usual, Republicans moved to block progressive legislation. They supported a move to adjourn 182 to 18 I an attempt to prevent a vote on HR 1 (RC 56, Mar 3) and as usual, voted against even bring the electoral reform and police reform up for a vote (RC 50 and 51, Mar 1)

Police Reform Bill Passes House

A few hours earlier on Wednesday, the House passed HR 1280 on an almost party line vote of 220 to 212 (RC 60, Mar 3). Lance Gooden of Texas was the only Republican to support the police reform bill. Nicole Malliotakis, a new member from New York City, moved to recommit the Floyd bill back to the Committee on the Judiciary. Every Republican supported her. (RC 59, Mar 3)

Scorecard: There were 13 votes last week. 12 of them were party line, and Rep. Steil voted the Republican line 100 percent. The only