Obama showed support for House Resolution 1, also recognized as the "For the People Act." If passed in the Senate, the bill would put nonpartisan commissions in the management of gerrymandering rather than party-controlled state legislatures, expand early voting, and loosen limitations on voter registration at the state level, among other measures.
GOP officials in Georgia, Arizona and many other states have proposed legislation to tighten voting laws. In a statement on behalf of her organization "When We All Vote," Obama touted record turnout throughout the 2020 presidential election yet suggested that "too many leaders are working to reverse that progress."
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"Make no mistake – the idea that we cannot both hold secure elections and ensure that every eligible voter can make their voices heard is a false choice. It’s based on lies and it flies in the face of our history. It is sad. It is infuriating. And it is a genuine threat to our future that must be taken seriously."
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H.R. 1 passed by a 220-210 vote along party lines. Senate Democrats will need to obtain support from no less than 10 Republicans in order to avoid the filibuster and pass the bill.
Republicans have adamantly rejected the legislation, claiming it would enable the federal government to infringe on states’ rights to hold elections according to local laws. GOP leaders say the bill is unbalanced in favor of Democrats.
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"Democrats want to use their razor-thin majority not to pass bills to earn voters’ trust, but to ensure they don’t lose more seats in the next election," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced in a floor speech on Tuesday.
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Obama explained that the bill will "make it easier for ordinary Americans to register and cast a ballot" and advance the security of U.S. elections.
"I urge the Senate to follow suit and pass this bill as soon as possible – because there is nothing more important to the health and future of our democracy than safeguarding the right to vote," Obama said.
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Obama also mentioned the capitol attack, when a mob of supporters of then-President Trump stormed the building in an unsuccessful attempt to halt Congress's certification of the Electoral College.
She said that "I think everyone was concerned about more riots, but we were assured that things were under control."
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