Steil Criticizes Democrats' Election-Reform Bill

RACINE COUNTY, WI — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill Friday addressing voting and election procedures. Democrats hailed the bill. Republicans say the bill's negative impacts outweigh its positives, and that it's not going anywhere in the U.S. Senate.

The bill, called H.R. 1, or the "For the People Act," is a sweeping 500-page bill. The bill passed along straight party lines, 234-193.

According to an NPR article published Friday, the bill would "require all states to offer automatic voter registration, make Election Day a federal holiday, and institute independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional districts as a way to end partisan gerrymandering."

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) voted against the bill, saying that while he supported some of the bill's provisions, he took issue with numerous others presented in the bill.

Here is his statement:

“Our election system can be improved. We must protect voting rights and improve transparency. There are several provisions in H.R. 1 that I support. In fact, many of these policies have already been implemented in Wisconsin. Our state has early voting and same-day registration.

Wisconsin gives those previously convicted of a crime who complete their sentence the ability to vote. While I agree with the intentions of H.R. 1, there are several policies that fail to improve our election process. H.R. 1 obstructs states’ ability to administer their own voting practices, mandating automatic registration and allowing sworn statements of identification instead of a government issued ID.

The bill also allows taxpayer dollars to be used to fund negative political television ads and line the pockets of political consultants. The negative impacts of H.R. 1 outweigh the positive changes that would be implemented.”

The bill is not expected to come up for a vote in the U.S. Senate, according to Republican officials.