By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Nathan Halm, a student at Bowling Green State University, wants his generation to have a greater say in how the nation is run.
That’s why, he said, he’s joined Un-PAC to push for the passage of U.S. House Bill 1, the “For the People Act.”
The bill calls, among other things, for automatic registration of new voters. “That’s fundamentally important to giving our generation more of a voice because that will get millions of young people involved was soon as they turn 18.”
The bill passed the U.S. House on a 220-210 party line vote early this month, now it faces a much higher hurdle as it moves to the Senate where Democrats’ edge is based on Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote in the event of a partisan deadlock.
“Primarily our strategy is to go after senators we think could be responsive to our messaging for what we see as top priorities,” Halm said. That includes both moderate Democrats and Republicans
Halm said he plans to reach out to Republican Senator Rob Portman to seek his support. Portman is not seeking re-election. “We see that as an opportunity to influence him to make dramatic democracy reforms that are so badly needed, for him to have a legacy going forward.”
The bill proposes a wide range of changes.
It sets up independent non-partisan commissions to draw Congressional Districts that make sure districts better reflect the population of the state rather than drawn based on giving a specific party an edge, Halm said.
These changes concern federal elections, Halm noted. “I am vigilant of anything that’s seen overreach and overstep of the federal government.”
The national effort is being led by former staffers from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.
A press release announcing the launch of Un-PAC spelled out the impetus for the initiative. “Young people across America understand that the political system is deeply broken and that Congress doesn’t work for them. They face the compounding crises of climate change, crippling student debt, systemic racism, and unaffordable health care, but have barely seen Congress take action on these problems in their lifetimes. The best chance that young people have to make American democracy accountable and functional is to pass H.R.1/S.1. This landmark legislation would reduce the role of big money in politics and make it easier for young people to vote, two things that would astronomically build and maintain young people’s political power, and pave the way for solutions to the problems they care about.”
However, U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, who represents the Fifth District, said in a statement that the bill represents partisan overreach, and makes the election system more, not less, vulnerable to foreign interference. He joined his Republican colleagues and one Democrat in voting against the bill.
While there could be bipartisan agreement on election integrity, the Democrats, he said ,pushed a partisan agenda.
Calling the bill a “one-size fits all” approach, he states in a press release: ““H.R. 1 would be the largest change to the American electoral system in our history. This legislative effort clearly exceeds the bounds of the Constitution in its attempt to remove states’ authority over their elections. If it were to become law, our electoral system would become increasing vulnerable to foreign election interference, politicians’ campaign accounts would be filled with taxpayer dollars, and basic voter ID guidelines would be jeopardized.”
In the Un-PAC release, Shana Gallagher executive director is quoted as saying: “Young voters were the margin of victory for Joe Biden in 2020. Our turnout was up by over 10%, and now we’re demanding results. This is a generational fight: we want less corruption and more representation. If this Congress, controlled by Democrats, can’t deliver democracy reform and pave the way for a functional democracy while they have the power to do so, they will lose an entire generation of voters.”
