Steil Statement on H.R. 1

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Committee on House Administration member and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Elections Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) released a statement after voting against Speaker Pelosi's election reform bill, H.R. 1.

"H.R. 1 guts voter ID laws, legalizes ballot harvesting, and publicly funds politicians' reelection campaigns. Not once have I had someone tell me that the problem with our system is that there is not enough money in elections. H.R. 1 weakens election integrity and I will continue working to move our country in the opposite direction of this bill to restore confidence and strengthen our system," said Steil.

Steil offered two amendments to H.R. 1. Both were rejected by House Democrats. The first would prevent voting machines from being connected to the public internet. This amendment is a commonsense provision to bolster our cybersecurity and protect the integrity of the elections. The second amendment would prevent sitting members of Congress from receiving public money to fund their reelection campaigns. H.R. 1 allows politicians and candidates to use public funds to run for election, pay political consultants, and air negative TV ads.

During debate on H.R. 1, Steil spoke on the House floor regarding his opposition of the bill. Watch his floor speech here.

Steil, a member of the Committee on House Administration and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Elections, spoke during the committee hearing on H.R. 1 on one of the most egregious provisions in the bill, which allows politicians to use public funds to pay for political consultants, air negative tv ads, and finance their reelection campaign.