Title: Commemorating Juneteenth by calling for the implementation of safeguards to protect the integrity of United States elections and end voter suppression.
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
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)]

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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.
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