Commemorating Juneteenth by calling for the implementation of safeguards to protect the integrity of United States elections and end voter suppression.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1010 Commemorating Juneteenth by calling for the implementation of safeguards to protect the integrity of United States elections and end voter suppression. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 18, 2020 Mr. VEASEY (for himself, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. JOHN- SON of Texas, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. GALLEGO, Ms. DEAN, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. SAR- BANES, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. CLAY, Mr. COOPER, Mr. MCEACHIN, Ms. ADAMS, Mrs. FLETCHER, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mrs. HAYES, Mr. POCAN, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DEFAZIO, Miss RICE of New York, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. MENG, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. SPANBERGER, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Mr. RUSH, and Mr. LARSEN of Washington) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration RESOLUTION Commemorating Juneteenth by calling for the implementa- tion of safeguards to protect the integrity of United States elections and end voter suppression. Whereas in 2020, laws that are intended to purposely dis- criminate, hinder, and prohibit the rights of Americans to vote are prevalent; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:34 Jun 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1010.IH HR1010 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1010 IH Whereas voter suppression laws disproportionately impact historically marginalized people, including persons of color, low income persons, and elderly persons; Whereas these laws especially target and disenfranchise mi- norities and people of color in African-American and Latino communities, among other demographics; Whereas as we celebrate the anniversary of Juneteenth, which marked the ending of slavery 155 years ago, we must protect the constitutional right of African Ameri- cans and other minorities to vote; Whereas the fear of reverting back to the time of Jim Crow voting restrictions and the complete suppression of mi- norities at the polls can be fought by investing in our de- mocracy; Whereas the recent primary elections in States such as Wis- consin, Washington, Georgia, and South Carolina exposed many flaws in our electoral system that undermines the sacred right to vote in the United States; Whereas the active threats posed by the emergence of COVID–19 have created new challenges and barriers re- lating to access to the ballot box for voters; Whereas additional investments in new technology and im- proved election systems are crucial to the health of our democratic institutions and the administration of fair elections; and Whereas more work must be done to remove oppressive vot- ing laws and increase access to the polls to ensure that all Americans have the right to vote in the midst of the global health threats posed by COVID–19: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:34 Jun 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1010.IH HR1010 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1010 IH (1) commemorates the ending of slavery in the 1 United States on June 19, or Juneteenth, in 1865; 2 (2) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to 3 honor the spirit of Juneteenth by supporting the en- 4 actment of policies that ensure fair and secure elec- 5 tions for all Americans; 6 (3) condemns all threats against the adminis- 7 tration of free and fair democratic elections, includ- 8 ing all laws and policies that depress turnout, intimi- 9 date voters, and deprive Americans of their right to 10 vote; 11 (4) expresses support for credible, inclusive, and 12 transparent election policies to safeguard the rights 13 and health of Americans during this unprecedented 14 pandemic caused by COVID–19; 15 (5) demands the expansion of vote-by-mail op- 16 tions and the provision of postage-paid absentee bal- 17 lots to registered voters; 18 (6) supports the implementation of policies that 19 allow voters to apply to vote by mail electronically or 20 over the phone; 21 (7) urges all States, territories, and localities to 22 make the electoral process fair, safe, and equitable 23 by ensuring more polling places are open to allow for 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:34 Jun 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1010.IH HR1010 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 1010 IH shorter lines and practices that follow public health 1 guidelines of social distancing; 2 (8) calls for the Election Assistance Commis- 3 sion (EAC) to prioritize any disbursements under 4 the Help America Vote Act of 2002 grants to 5 States, territories, and localities that are severely af- 6 fected by COVID–19 and to other jurisdictions seek- 7 ing funds to implement election policies relating to 8 voting during the COVID–19 pandemic; 9 (9) recommends that the EAC create a bipar- 10 tisan ‘‘National Election Task Force’’ to support 11 and protect the elections held in November 2020 and 12 voting systems from the threats posed by the 13 COVID–19 pandemic and fight voter suppression by 14 recommending and mandating measures relating to 15 safe voting procedures, security, and funding; and 16 (10) implores election administration officials to 17 implement these policies, especially in communities 18 that have been disproportionately impacted by and 19 have high cases of COVID–19. 20 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:34 Jun 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1010.IH HR1010 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS