Bill Explanation: H. RES. 1394
This bill proposes the designation of September 2022 as "National Voting Rights Month". It expresses support for this designation and encourages all people in the United States to uphold the right of every citizen to vote.
The bill acknowledges the historical voter suppression laws in the United States that have hindered certain individuals and groups from exercising their right to vote. It mentions specific examples such as English literacy tests denying Native Americans, people born to U.S. citizens abroad, and former slaves from voting.
The bill also references the discriminatory practices faced by minority groups like Black Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, including violence, poll taxes, literacy tests, and restrictive voting laws.
It highlights how these policies continue to impact underrepresented voters today, such as through intimidation, voter roll purges, and financial barriers that act as modern-day poll taxes.
The bill acknowledges the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect the right to vote for Black Americans and other historically disenfranchised groups. It also mentions the Supreme Court's invalidation of a key provision in the Act in 2013, which has resulted in gerrymandered districts that favor certain groups.
Furthermore, the bill addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elections, emphasizing the need for fair and safe election policies, increased accessibility to vote-by-mail and limited-contact options, and the vital role of the United States Postal Service in conducting elections.
The bill urges Congress to pass various voting rights acts, including the For the People Act of 2021, the Freedom to Vote Act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, and the Democracy Restoration Act of 2021.
Additionally, the bill encourages strategies to educate students about voting and proposes the issuance of a special stamp honoring Representative John R. Lewis to remind people of the sacrifices made for voting rights.
Finally, the bill invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements to inform people of election dates, registration deadlines, and the importance of voting.