Joe Morelle: “I stand here not just in strong opposition to this bill but in strong opposition to recent efforts by this…”

“I stand here not just in strong opposition to this bill but in strong opposition to recent efforts by this administration to take over, literally take over American elections--but not just any American election, this American election, the one that is happening now. Ballots have already been mailed overseas to military voters for several State primaries. I am opposed to this bill and any effort by the President of the United States to nationalize a Federal election for partisan purposes because I believe in this country. I ardently, fiercely believe that the United States, the shining city on a hill, represents the best humanity has to offer. I believe the United States should, it must, stand in defense of and on behalf of every single American. Our Republic was founded on the simple yet revolutionary idea that our American government derives its power from the consent of the governed, from the votes of the people. Yet achieving that idea has required struggle over generations and generations. With the Reconstruction Amendments, since the 19th Amendment, America expanded its right to vote. Americans have defended this right against efforts to restrict access to the ballot, to pull back from history's progress. Congress has repeatedly affirmed and defended the ability for every American to participate in our elections, including through the passage of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965.”