Debate over House Resolution 4 (HR 4), a Democrat-backed bill, is causing many Republicans to believe the bill is simply another ploy by the Democrats to take voting rights away from individual states like Texas.
According to the Honest Elections Project, H.R. 4 will nullify newly passed state level voting safeguards, like voter ID requirements in Texas.
"There is no longer any justification for giving the federal government the ability to veto the election laws and regulations that citizens and their elected representatives choose to implement in their respective states," wrote Hans von Spakovsky, an election law analyst for the the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation. "H.R. 4 is a federal power grab designed to thwart election reform and manipulate state redistricting decisions."
Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) believe HR 4 would cede constitutional state power to the Department of Justice, CBS News reported.
"I think it's unnecessary," McConnell said, as reported by CBS News.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is one of 36 states that require voters to show one of seven different forms of photo identification to vote. The state requires a Texas driver's license, Texas election identification certificate, Texas personal identification card, Texas handgun license, U.S. military ID card, U.S. citizenship certificate or a U.S. passport. Voters who don't possess one can make a "reasonable impediment declaration" and show a qualified document without a photo.
HR 4, also known as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would overturn the Supreme Court's decision made in 2013 during Shelby County v. Holder, which eliminated Section 5 that allowed for the Department of Justice to approve, or preclear, states' election and voting decision before changing election laws, according to a previous article from Lone Star Standard. It would also allow the Department of Justice veto power over every state concerning each states voting rights, according to the Lone Star Standard.
According to the Heritage Foundation, HR 4 would also allow the Department of Justice to change and override each states' decision on polling locations, voter ID requirements and district line voting relocation and make it harder for each state to defend itself against litigation.
"Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his decision of Shelby County v. Holder, as reported by CBS News.
The Sunshine Sentinel reports, citing information from von Spakovsky, that allegations claims of voter suppression and discrimination are unfounded, based on U.S. census data. Von Spakovsky says hard numbers regarding voting patterns show that minorities are not being discriminated against at the polls and turnout among black Americans was higher in 2020 than in 2016.
Democratic arguments against recent state voter restrictions, however, are more concerned about the elections of 2022 and 2024, not past votes.
If passed, HR 4 will also allow the federal government to prevent states from enforcing already passed voting bills such as requiring voter ID, the Honest Elections Project said. It reports that HR 4 will also encourage lawsuits where plaintiffs “sue and settle,” meaning politicians would be able to use their resources to weaken election integrity and change election rules without a vote, and make it difficult for states to defend themselves against any type of litigation.
The Honest Elections Project found 57% of independents and 65% of Republicans say this makes them less likely to support the bill.
