One of the most sacred rituals of being an American is the freedom we enjoy in the voting booth. Our voice and our vote are inherently protected through the design of the Founding Fathers’ electoral system, and we are secured through the authority of states and counties in federal elections. Yet, many of my colleagues are voting to take this authority into their own hands through the sweeping regulations in H.R. 1.
While there are certainly aspects of our voting system that could be improved, the answer is not to take the control away from the people. Instead we should be empowering the people to make improvements for themselves. The state of Arkansas provides ample opportunity for voters to get to the polls for local, state, and federal elections through practices like early voting and absentee voting. We want to ensure that all registered voters have a chance to cast their ballot. By creating unnecessary mandates about who can vote, where they can vote, and when they can vote, the federal government is taking away a founding pillar of our democracy.
While the authors of H.R. 1 would like to paint the bill as one that protects the people, it only creates a significantly more vulnerable electoral process by taking it out of the hands of the people. It reshapes the identity of Election Day into a one size fits all mold. It claims to create greater barriers against election fraud but does not name or prosecute this fraud in any way. The federal government plays a vital but limited role in ensuring a secure and free election system in America. It is our job as lawmakers to work with local governments and private citizens to that end, instead of perpetrating a massive takeover of democracy.
FAQ (What folks have been calling/texting my office about this week)
Q: Why did you vote against the House resolution condemning hate?
A: If Democrat Leaders wanted to specifically address anti-Semitism and a member of their conference who has repeatedly made anti-Semitic comments, this resolution failed in nearly every way possible.This hurried bill, that went through multiple iterations, simply did more to diminish that member’s hateful, ongoing rhetoric and further insult those who her comments have targeted.
You can text me legislative concerns or questions at 870-292-6747
A resolution condemning hatred in all forms passed the House Thursday, but 23 Republicans voted against it, calling it “watered down” and “a sham.”
H.R. 183 was originally intended as a reprimand for a series of anti-Semitic comments from freshman Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, but it never named her specifically and was broadened before the final vote to include hatred against a number of other groups.
Republicans generally joined in the favorable vote, though nearly two-dozen opposed the measure.
Rep. Rick Crawford was the only House member from Arkansas to vote against the resolution. He believed the resolution should have named Omar and condemned her remarks, said his spokesman, Sara Robertson.
A resolution condemning white supremacy, which Crawford supported earlier this year, had singled out Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, after King made an inflammatory statement, she noted.
WASHINGTON, DC
2422 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4076
CABOT, AR
112 S. 1st
Cabot, AR 72023
Phone: (501) 843-3043
Fax: (501) 843-4955
DUMAS, AR
101 E. Waterman St.
Dumas, AR 71639
Phone: (501) 843-3043
JONESBORO, AR
2400 Highland Dr
Suite 300
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 203-0540
Fax: (870) 203-0542
MOUNTAIN HOME, AR
1001 Highway 62 E
Suite 9
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Phone: (870) 424-2075
Fax: (870) 424-3149
In order to improve constituent services provided through all my district offices, it is recommended you first call the appropriate district office to make an appointment.
