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Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) joined nearly 100 Members of Congress in calling on the Committee on House Administration and the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings about reforms that will help restore American democracy and make the voices of everyday Americans heard in Congress.

“The two basic imperatives of a functioning democracy – the right to vote and the right to have your vote mean something – are under assault,” the Members wrote. “Spurred by the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, partisan operatives in state legislatures are crafting new ways to limit Americans access to the ballot box. At the same time, the corrosive effect of big money on our political system – an effect exacerbated by the Citizens United decision – has left many Americans wondering whether their ballots can ever compete against the power of a privileged few.”

The Members asked the Chairmen of each committee to schedule hearings on the following bills, all of which Rep. Tonko has cosponsored:

·         The Voter Empowerment Act (H.R. 12)

·         The Government By the People Act (H.R. 20)

·         The Democracy for All Amendment (H.J.Res. 22)

·         The Automatic Voter Registration Act (H.R. 2694)

·         The Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 (H.R. 2867)

The letter came shortly after thousands of people from all over the country joined each other on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to call on Congress to fight big money in politics and return to a government of by and for the people.

A full copy of the letter can be viewed here.