Jane Harman: “I rise in strong support of HR 3295, the ``Help America Vote Act,'' introduced by my colleagues, Bob Ney and Steny…”

“I rise in strong support of HR 3295, the ``Help America Vote Act,'' introduced by my colleagues, Bob Ney and Steny Hoyer. The bill before us is an important step in reforming our electoral process and rebuilding public confidence. We are well aware that our administration of elections was tested by last year's presidential election contest. The American political system proved resilient, but not before putting many aspects of the election process under a microscope. That microscope revealed many problems, beginning with ballot design, voting machines, and the rules by which registration lists are respected and ballots counted. Most importantly, those problems were not isolated in one or just a few states. The election fiasco did have the benefit of returning to the legislative agenda the issue of election reform. Beginning with the National Commission on Federal Election Reform and culminating in this bill, the cause of reform has taken significant strides since last November. We must continue that momentum. Like the main sponsors of the bill, I believe we need to enact a bill that improves the balloting process before the 2002 elections. If we stake out the perfect positions--however principled--we could well face the same kind of delays and difficulties that prevented for months enactment of a much-needed aviation security bill. Election reform is needed and we must use the sense of urgency to achieve results, and achieve them quickly.”