STATEMENT: Wittman Votes Against H.R. 1

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) voted against H.R. 1 which federalizes American elections and forces states to accept highly controversial election policies.

In response, Congressman Wittman stated: 'H.R. 1 is a big government power grab that further weakens the integrity and security of our election system. It mandates unconstitutional changes, reversing the longstanding history of state and local control of the electoral process, and instead creates a federally mandated process. H.R. 1 forces states to accept ballot harvesting, weakened voter ID requirements, unrestricted absentee voting without sufficient identification requirements, and the automatic pre-registration of 16- and 17- year olds to vote. Overseeing these new, highly controversial provisions would be a newly partisan FEC, headed by a Commissioner who some are already calling the 'Speech Czar,' empowered to decide what campaign speech is acceptable and what is not.

'In addition to this flagrant assault on the Constitution, the very politicians who voted in favor of H.R. 1 would use this bill to flood their campaign accounts with federal dollars. By voting in favor of H.R. 1, the Majority made their priorities clear: they would rather fund their own re-election campaigns than provide relief to families and businesses suffering from the economic devastation caused by COVID-19. As if this was not insulting enough, this vote immediately follows a hyperpartisan relief package in which - of the package's almost $2 trillion - 91% was diverted from COVID-19 relief to Democrat priorities, including pet projects for Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer.

'We must have faith in the electoral process and continue to take steps to ensure fair and free elections. Unfortunately, H.R. 1 is yet another government overreach by the Democrats in Congress. Despite its name, this bill is not for the people, but for the politicians. I am proud to have stood with the people of Virginia's First Congressional District against H.R. 1.'

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the full Committee and Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.