Vicente Gonzalez: “I would like to bring the House's attention to the important issue of election reform funding in H.R. 5025, the fiscal…”

“I would like to bring the House's attention to the important issue of election reform funding in H.R. 5025, the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation and Treasury, and independent agencies. Late last year, the four members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission were finally confirmed and able to begin their work to provide election assistance grants and guidelines to the states. Since they assumed office and the Commission began its work in earnest, it has provided over $1.5 billion to the states to meet the requirements of the Help America vote Act (HAVA) for the development of innovative election technology, pilot programs to test election technology, and programs to promote youth involvement in elections. I am very pleased that in the past two years, we in Congress have provided most of the funds promised for implementing the Help America vote Act. There remains, however, an unpaid balance of $800 million. I am disappointed that this bill does not pay off that balance.”