This resolution commemorates June 19, 1865, or Juneteenth, as the end of slavery in the United States. It also reaffirms the commitment of Congress to honor Juneteenth by supporting the enactment of policies that ensure fair and secure elections for all Americans.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1010 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
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. Johnson of
Texas, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Gallego,
Ms. Dean, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Sarbanes, Mrs. Beatty,
Ms. Velazquez, 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) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House
Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Commemorating Juneteenth by calling for the implementation of
safeguards to protect the integrity of United States elections and end
voter suppression.
Whereas in 2020, laws that are intended to purposely discriminate, hinder, and
prohibit the rights of Americans to vote are prevalent;
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 minorities 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 Americans and other minorities to vote;
Whereas the fear of reverting back to the time of Jim Crow voting restrictions
and the complete suppression of minorities at the polls can be fought by
investing in our democracy;
Whereas the recent primary elections in States such as Wisconsin, 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 relating to access to the ballot box for voters;
Whereas additional investments in new technology and improved 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 voting 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,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States
on June 19, or Juneteenth, in 1865;
(2) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to honor the
spirit of Juneteenth by supporting the enactment of policies
that ensure fair and secure elections for all Americans;
(3) condemns all threats against the administration of free
and fair democratic elections, including all laws and policies
that depress turnout, intimidate voters, and deprive Americans
of their right to vote;
(4) expresses support for credible, inclusive, and
transparent election policies to safeguard the rights and
health of Americans during this unprecedented pandemic caused
by COVID-19;
(5) demands the expansion of vote-by-mail options and the
provision of postage-paid absentee ballots to registered
voters;
(6) supports the implementation of policies that allow
voters to apply to vote by mail electronically or over the
phone;
(7) urges all States, territories, and localities to make
the electoral process fair, safe, and equitable by ensuring
more polling places are open to allow for shorter lines and
practices that follow public health guidelines of social
distancing;
(8) calls for the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to
prioritize any disbursements under the Help America Vote Act of
2002 grants to States, territories, and localities that are
severely affected by COVID-19 and to other jurisdictions
seeking funds to implement election policies relating to voting
during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(9) recommends that the EAC create a bipartisan ``National
Election Task Force'' to support and protect the elections held
in November 2020 and voting systems from the threats posed by
the COVID-19 pandemic and fight voter suppression by
recommending and mandating measures relating to safe voting
procedures, security, and funding; and
(10) implores election administration officials to
implement these policies, especially in communities that have
been disproportionately impacted by and have high cases of
COVID-19.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
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